The following is a list of general advantages enjoyed by employees working under IBEW contracts as opposed to employees working in unrepresented jobs.
WITH	WITHOUT
Contract A legal document that defines hours of work, wages and other conditions of employment; establishes procedures for the resolution of disputes.	Contract No Contract - Employer's rules and policies may be changed at the employer's discretion or whim.
Wages IBEW wages are negotiated with your employer and are guaranteed and spelled out in your contract.	Wages Employer arbitrarily sets wages. The law requires payment of minimum wage under certain conditions.
Seniority Used to determine, among other things, placement on wage schedule, layoff procedures, vacation and holiday scheduling, overtime assignments, job bidding and shift scheduling.	Seniority The employer has complete discretion whether to use seniority, or not - most of the time it's NOT!
Discipline For just cause only, following progressive discipline.	Discipline YOU'RE FIRED! . . . You are an "at will  employee" - for just cause or "just because".
Grievances The contract provides a structured procedure for handling disputes in the workplace which are in violation of that contract.	Grievances The employer may provide an "open door" policy to discuss disputes, but the employee often finds the door has been shut and locked.
Arbitration The contract provides for arbitration of  grievances, when appropriate, at the IBEW's expense.	Arbitration Any legal action brought by the employee against an employer must be paid for solely by the employee.
Health & Welfare/Pension Benefits negotiated by the IBEW, most often with employer contributions to premiums.	Health & Welfare/Pension These benefits are not required under law.