Updated Allocation for:

Principal and Residential (Local 134)

Collective Bargaining Agreements

(Annuity / NEIB Information)

Start Date: Monday, December 30, 2024

CLICK HERE for the Annuity / NEIB Allocation update -

start date: December 30, 2024.

Pension Benefit Improvements

The Trustees of the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF) and the National Employees Benefit Board have approved the following pension benefit improvements for the NEBF’s retirees and beneficiaries. 

First, the NEBF’s pension benefit multiplier will increase by $1.00 from $32.00 to $33.00, effective January 1, 2025. As such, participants with a pension effective date of January 1, 2025, or later, who have not incurred a “break in service”, will have their benefits computed based on $33.00 per month per benefit service credit. Minimum disability payments for vested participants, who become totally and permanently disabled on or after December 1, 2024, with a pension effective date of January 1, 2025, will be increased to $660.00 per month. 

Second, retirees and beneficiaries on our pension rolls as of December 31, 2024 will receive a one-time 13^th payment on or around November 1, 2025.

Finally, a new, optional benefit feature known as the National Electrical Individual Benefit (or “NEIB”) has been approved effective January 1, 2025. If adopted by local bargaining parties, the NEIB would provide participants with an additional monthly retirement benefit and more personal planning opportunities. This benefit feature will be funded by employer contributions of at least $0.50 per hour worked and provide participants with an additional monthly benefit equal to 1.5% of the contributions made on their behalf. The NEBF’s actuary projects that the NEIB will further improve the NEBF’s funded status over time. Optional, verbatim language for the NEIB is available upon request for any area choosing to participate.

Temporary Return to Work Amendment

The Trustees of the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF) and the National Employees Benefit Board have approved a temporary Return to Work Amendment to the Plan of Benefits for the NEBF. This temporary amendment permits certain eligible retirees to return to covered and contributory employment for a period of time without a loss of pension benefits from the NEBF. 

The temporary amendment is for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Please read the attached notice carefully as this amendment does not apply to all retirees or to all electrical employment.

Also, in an effort to assist participating JATCs with utilizing pre-age 65 retirees as instructors, the Trustees have approved pre-age 65 retirees with a pension effective date during calendar year 2024 to utilize this amendment as long as they are working as an instructor in a JATC where such instructors are contributed on.  As with the regular amendment, the JATC amendment also does not apply to retirees receiving a disability benefit. In addition to the normal procedure explained in the attached notice; the only additional requirement is that the individual must completely retire for one full month before returning as an instructor.

NEBF eligible retirees will receive a copy of the notice which will be mailed this month. 

Should you have any questions, please contact the NEBF at 301-556-4304.

IN-Tech is seeking qualified and experienced electrical contractors to competitively bid on an exciting new project at the facility. This project is a key step in enhancing the training infrastructure and includes:

• Installation of one Level 3 DC fast charger
• Installation of six dual Level 2 chargers
• Construction of a solar carport with inverter
• Establishment of a new stand-alone service to power all equipment
• 
  

The project has been expertly engineered by Connelly Electric, and a complete set of engineered drawings will be included for your review.

How to Participate:

If your company is interested in bidding, please email or contact Gene Kent, In-Tech Executive Director, directly at gkent@in-techonline.org by January 10, 2025. Once In-Tech has compiled a list of interested contractors, a kickoff meeting will be scheduled to outline the bidding process and project expectations.

This project represents a unique opportunity to partner with IN-Tech in advancing the future of electrical training and innovation. Your expertise and dedication to quality will play a vital role in our mission to prepare Local 134 journeypersons and apprentices for the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry.

IN-Tech looks forward to your participation and thanks you for your consideration.

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Safety Committee along with the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA were proud to sponsor a special Joint Safety Directors' Forum. The program was held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL.  

Read More.

2025 ECA Research and Education Committee Update

The 2025 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2025. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!

CLICK HERE FOR LISTING

EVENTS

ECA Regular Membership Meeting - January 16, 2025 (THURSDAY!)

The event is being held in conjunction with the Electric Association's Annual Conference.

Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.

This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, January 16, 2025

Drury Lane Conference Center

100 Drury Lane

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

(630) 530-8300

Registration / Networking: 11:30 am

Lunch begins: 11:45 am

Business Session: 12:00 pm

Event Concludes: 1:00 pm

The luncheon program will feature industry updates and guest presentation by Ryan James Boyle, VP and Senior Economist - Global Risk Management Division - Northern Trust regarding a Midwest Economic Forecast.

We do hope that you'll join us for this opportunity to meet and network with your peers in the industry!

You can register on the ECA website/link below or give the office a call at: (708) 531-0022.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

CEAEF Scholarship Applications will be accepted through January 22, 2025.

All employees of Electric Association Members and their descendants are eligible for these scholarships. Thanksgiving break is a great time to apply for scholarships!

The Chicagoland Electric Association Education Foundation is pleased to share the application period for the following seven academic scholarships:

• Electric Association Scholarship ($2500)
• NEW! Women in Industry Scholarship ($2500)
• The Kinander Family Scholarship ($2500)
• The Steiner Kerman Education Foundation Scholarship ($2500)
• The Joseph J. Archibald Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($2500)
• The Rosenstein Family Scholarship ($2500)
• The Anixter Family Scholarships (2 @ $2500)

Download the criteria and application to submit by January 22, 2025.

Electric Association members and their lineal descendants are eligible to apply. Please carefully review the scholarship criteria for complete details, deadlines, and a check list of items to be included in each application.

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship program please email: anovinger@eachicago.org.

Chicagoland Electric Association Education Foundation

630-305-3050| E-mail | Website

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Electric Association Conference and Tradeshow

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Drury Lane Conference Center, Oakbrook Terrace, IL

All segments of the electrical construction industry of Chicagoland are welcome!

Conference Hours:

Thursday, January 16, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Tradeshow Hours:

Thursday, January 16, 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Educational Sessions: Earn up to 8 PDHs!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER as an Attendee

Don't miss this opportunity to gain code, industry, and product knowledge, earn up to 8 PDHs, and expand your network. Register today!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER an Exhibitor Booth

Exhibitor Booths still available!

Don't miss this in-person tradeshow opportunity to meet engineers, contractors, inspectors and other decision makers of the industry. Register today!

CISCO is accepting applications for its long-standing Annual Scholarship Awards Program. Applications form are available by clicking on one of the three types of scholarship awards below.

CISCO’s three (3) scholarship program categories are:

– Three (3) four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) for High School seniors to support college-bound children of construction building trade Union members and employees of Union contractors, or to children of non-bargaining unit employees of a Union contractor affiliated with CISCO. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year awards ($1,000/year) for High School seniors planning on attending a community college or pursuing an Associates Degree. Must be a child of a construction building trade Union member and employee of Union contractors, or a child of a non-bargaining unit employee of a Union contractor affiliated with CISCO. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

– Two (2) two-year continuing education awards ($1,000/year) to support CISCO members who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a community college or a 4-year accredited college or university who are working in the Union building construction trades or are employees of a CISCO contractor. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

2025 Merit Awards Project Submissions NOW OPEN

ENTRY DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

The Chicago Building Congress Merit Awards Committee invites CBC members and non-members to submit entries for CBC's 2025 Merit Awards competition. This program recognizes the most outstanding construction projects from the past three years in the Chicagoland area and surrounding counties.

Learn More



EDUCATION

Reasonable Suspicion/Sexual Harassment

Prevention Training Seminar

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Maggiano's Banquets (240 Oakbrook Ctr. Oak Brook, IL 60523)

Presentation facilitated by Bill Heffernan, Screensafe, Inc.

Participants will learn signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol misuse and abuse, the importance of objective and factual documentation, strategies and approaches to successful interventions and procedures and protocols regarding reasonable suspicion testing. The presentations are to include discussion of the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act concerning employer obligations for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Reasonable Suspicion implementation.

This program is complimentary for ECA members!

REGISTER NOW

"Managing the Lifeblood of Contracting - Cash Flow"

Thursday, February 13, 2025

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Presented by Shaabini Alford, Maxim Consulting Group

Maggiano’s Banquets - Oak Brook, IL 

Cash flow is one of the most important issues facing contractors today. As the market continues to stay strong, companies are faced with starting new projects, hiring staff, and investing in assets to support the business. More companies go bankrupt due to cash flow issues than due to profitability. Many things can and should be done to improve cash management practices. We will explore a range of tools and techniques, from simple to complex, that allow firms to manage and control cash flow. Examples include contractual negotiation strategies, pricing and bidding practices, development of cost and resource-loaded schedules that tie to billing activities in the schedule of values, use of 12-week cash flow forecasts, project closeout procedures, and managing the billings and collection cycle. An interactive cash flow simulation provides hands-on experience that enhances the learning outcomes.

REGISTER NOW

"Labor Cost - Convert Your Biggest Risk To Your Biggest Advantage."

Thursday, March 13, 2025

8:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Presented by Shaabini Alford, Maxim Consulting Group

IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH)

6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL.

Case studies demonstrate common myths of field productivity due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what productivity really is. Case studies provide step by step illustration for participants to simply and clearly define productivity and production. Case studies illustrate methodologies for measuring and managing jobsite productivity for sustainable, breakthrough performance gains.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Define and appropriately measure productivity
• Define and understand the mechanics of production
• Understand blind spots existing project management approaches have to productivity improvement and what to do about it
• Gain an introductory understanding, based on case studies, of how to measure cost of lost production and how to implement effective improvement routines

REGISTER NOW.

Culture of Collaboration Workshop

Transforming Our Industry Together: Introducing the DEI Program for ECA of Chicago

We're embarking on an exciting journey to shape our future with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at its core. We've partnered with Leadership Surge to bring a specially designed DEI program to the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago, and you’re invited to be a part of this transformative experience.

Please use the scheduling form below to secure a date and register your companies for the live 2-hr DEI Training session:

Scheduling Form

The goal is to have each company choose their preferred training and capture their contact information and preferred training location.

Here’s what's in store for us:

• Tailored Training Sessions: From senior leadership to our valued front-line employees, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to dive into interactive sessions that will empower us to lead and participate in a more inclusive workplace.

• Engaging Learning Formats: Whether it's live workshops or on-the-go learning through a mobile app, this program offers flexible ways to engage with DEI principles. Plus, Toolbox Talks will bring DEI conversations right into our daily routines.

• A United Effort: This isn't just training; it's a movement towards building a workplace where every voice is heard and every contribution valued. We're not just aiming for compliance; we're striving for commitment and change.

Program Intro

The Independent Alliance for the Electrical Industry (IAEI) is excited to invite you to an exclusive, free, in-person electrical educational seminar designed to equip professionals like you with essential updates and insights for 2025. Organized by the IBEW Local 134 Codes and Standards Committee and Powering Chicago, this event also serves as the IAEI Illinois Chapter Spring Meeting.

Event Details:

           •         Date: February 28th, 2025

           •         Duration: 8-hour comprehensive training session

           •         CEUs: Continuing Education Units will be awarded to all attendees

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Document Crunch

Contractors who sign up for the service will have exclusive access to an ELECTRI-specific solution through Document Crunch’s innovative platform.

Watch Demo Video



If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Nancy Sheehy at nsheehy@documentcrunch.com.

Sign Up for Access



EP 13: An Icon Reinvented: Inside Abt Electronics’ Renewable Revolution

Since opening its doors in 1933, the iconic, family-owned Abt Electronics campus has evolved into a one-million-square-foot testament to innovation in Glenview, Illinois. Today, this historic retailer has transformed its storied grounds into a beacon of clean energy — one that will continue to harness renewable resources, deliver cleaner power, and generate thousands of megawatt-hours of electricity for generations to come.

Watch Now

Suicide Rate Among Construction Workers Hits Crisis Levels

Kevin O’Shea, president of Shamrock Electric Co., Inc., has one vital message to construction workers who are struggling with their mental health: call him. 

It's a message he shares as much as possible, given the growing number of suicides among workers in the industry. 

Click Here to Read the Full Article 

Get ready for the annual Construction Expo & Safety Conference on March 3-4, 2025 at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. Registration is now open, with a $100 DISCOUNT available on purchases of the All-Access Pass until January 31. 

This two-day event features 24 safety training sessions, a business-to-business tradeshow on March 4, a Keynote Speaker, and unparalleled opportunities to connect with fellow industry professionals. 

REGISTER HERE

OSHA New Arch Flash Information (December 2024)

Click the link below to the ECA website for member's only content - "Safety News and Resources" / "NECA / ECA Safety Resources" for a brief introduction regarding the new OSHA Arc Flash information, as well as new OSHA publications concerning Arc Flash.

CLICK HERE FOR LINK FOR NEW OSHA ARC FLASH INFORMATION / NEW OSHA ARC FLASH PUBLICATIONS.

You can also access this member only content directly through the ECA website by visiting the Industry Resources section - then NECA Safety Resources. Either way, you will need your username and password to visit the area(s).

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention

It is an unfortunate fact that construction has the highest rate of suicide of any industry in America. We lose about 53 out of every 100,000 members of our industry EVERY YEAR to suicide. We are four times the average of other industries. We have a crisis in construction and we need to do something about it. You can visit the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention website and learn more. We urge all to take the pledge to STAND UP for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority.

CLICK HERE FOR A "Stand Up for Suicide Prevention" Information Sheet.