The founders of the IBEW understood six basic points about

the construction industry that they applied to their efforts

to organize a national union. Each of these principles is listed

below. Also, each point poses a question that we must answer

today, just as our founders had to answer it a century ago.

• Construction is critically important to the national economy.

      (Who will ORGANIZE the supply of skilled labor?)

• Construction is impossible without craft, skill and knowledge.

       (Who will CONTROL the supply of skilled labor?)

• Construction employers generally lack the will and resources to train an adequate supply of skilled labor.

       (Who will TRAIN the supply of skilled labor?)

• Construction is a boom-and-bust industry.

       (Who will MAINTAIN and REFER the supply of skilled labor?)

• Construction employers come in many sizes.

       (Who will CONTROL the small work in the jurisdiction?)

• Construction operates in a local market.

       (Who will ORGANIZE and CONTROLthe local costruction market?)