The Importance of Training
Labor Unions just like companies like to keep their Officers, Representatives and Members well educated. By keeping our Local Union Leaders and members trained and educated, we can ensure that they are able to compete with their management counterparts.

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The IBEW and the Fourth District offers a wide range of courses and programs to keep our leaders on the cutting edge of employment and work related legal issues, as well as leadership development classes. Below is a partial list of some of the educational opportunities available to our Local Unions and it's members.
COMET |
"Construction Organizing Membership Education Training". This program helps our construction members to understand the importance of Organizing to renew our bargaining strength and to preserve the high standards of living they have achieved with their Union. It stresses the main IBEW goal of elevating the conditions of life and work for all Electrical Workers, Union and Non-Union alike. |
COMET II |
This course is an extension to the above COMET course and provides the tools worksite activists need to build power within their jurisdictions and teaches them modern day organizing tactics such as "Salting". |
Industrial Organizing Program 7-Hour |
This comprehensive seven hour introduction to industrial organizing discusses why we organize, effective targeting programs, workers rights and the Law, and shows how to develop a strategic organizing plan for the Local Union. |
IBEW Basic Industrial Organizing Course |
This four and a half day advanced course taught by International Representatives and Trainers is for full and part time organizers as well as International Staff. It details what qualifications it takes to be an organizer, the IBEW Organizing Vision, Targeting Strategy, Campaign assessment, Strategy, Home Visits, Campaign materials, and takes the participant through a typical campaign, from both the union side as well as the employers. |
MOP Training |
The "Member Organizer Program" is a four hour basic course that instructs the participant in the "How To" of a typical organizing campaign. It includes Phases of a campaign, Organizing issues and the Law, Targeting, Home visits, and delivering the Union Message. |
4th District Construction Steward Training |
Designed to prepare the Business Manager and their stewards to properly assist and represent their construction members, this six hour course deals with among other subjects, duties and responsibilities, legal rights and obligations, job site harassment, and properly handling member grievances, and problems. |
4th District Industrial Steward Training |
This six and one half hour comprehensive course teaches stewards and Local union officers contract administration, grievance handling, legal rights and responsibilities, and the role of the Local Union Steward. |
Basic Arbitration Course |
A three and a half day course that prepares participants to engage in the entire process from investigation, to preparation, to the actual mock hearing, and writing a brief for the arbitrator. |
LU Leadership Training |
This great class teaches new as well as established officers the roles and responsibilities of their office and jobs. It includes IBEW Policies and Laws, duties of officers, properly conducting a meeting, and how to conduct a trial if ever needed. |
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International/4th District New Business Managers Course. |
This course is conducted by International Education Department Instructors and consist of two one week sessions that teach new Business Managers what their duties and responsibilities are as well as prepares them for the many facets of their job as chief administrator of the Local Union. Almost every facet of the job is discussed including mock bargaining, each participant is also provided with an invaluable set of resource manuals. |
To request any of the above courses you must be a Local Union Business Manager. If you want these courses for your local have your Business Manager contact the Fourth District Vice President by letter requesting the training. Proper arrangements will then be made with available staff, and trainers. The address and phone number of the Vice President is on the home page, or you can make your request by sending us an e-mail.