JIB develops transatlantic relationships

Electrical contracting industry best practice and experiences were shared recently when the Joint Industry Board visited New York for an international industry roundtable with the USA and Canada.

The event, hosted by the New York Joint Industry Board, which was the model for the JIB in the UK, was also attended by representatives from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - the US and Canadian electrical trade union.

Local 3 - the New York branch of the IBEW – outlined key industry issues affecting its 19,000 members, such as a work-sharing programme being used to alleviate the impact of unemployment amongst members so that they have the opportunity to work after 26 weeks. There are currently some 1,500 apprentices in New York.

In Canada, there is a current high level of investment in a number of major oil development and refining projects, which require up to 15,000 construction workers on a single site, and Canada is now the largest supplier of oil to the USA.

Ivor Williams, chairman of the JIB’s Further Education committee and Steve Brawley, JIB chief executive, represented the UK and gave a presentation on industry issues in the UK. Steve Brawley said: “This trip was an excellent opportunity to form solid relationships with the New York JIB, Local 3 of the IBEW and the IBEW in Canada. We live in a globalised world and I place a high value on working with other countries to learn and exchange information and support each other where we have common ground.

The JIB is also currently working with the New York JIB on the apprentice exchange, taking place later this month, when Luke Wheeler of SPIE Matthew Hall will spend four weeks living and working in New York and Jeannie Lockwood from New York will live and work in the UK.