Rice Electrical Moves to Local 1: “You Have to Do What’s Right,” Nelson Says
Date Posted: September 24, 2013
Posted In: News, Workforce,
Rice Electrical Services & Controls has terminated its contract with the Carpenters’ District Council (CDC) of Eastern Missouri and its Local 57 affiliate to become the newest signatory contractor with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One.
Bridgeton-based Rice Electrical joined IBEW Local One on Sept. 4, 2013, a day after terminating its contract with CDC and Local 57. IBEW Local One is the oldest electrical union in the nation and was established in St. Louis in 1891. It has more than 150 signatory contractors serving residential, industrial and commercial customers.
Al Bond, assistant executive secretary-treasurer of Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity said that the Carpenters released Rice from its agreement with them because the affiliation with Local 57 didn’t work for Rice’s business model.
“We let John Byrd and Rice Electrical out of the contract, because they were using other locals outside of our jurisdiction up in northern Illinois. We didn’t want to hinder them from doing business,” Bond said.
Terry Nelson, executive secretary-treasurer, of the Carpenters District Council said that it was a matter of looking out for the best interests of the construction industry, “I told Frank (Frank Jacobs, business manager of IBEW Local One) what we were going to do and he was very appreciative of that. It made good business sense for the industry. That is something we’re good at. You have to do what is right for the industry and get it out of the personality bullshit.”
IBEW Business Manager Jacobs said, “We are pleased to welcome Rice Electrical to the IBEW Local One family. We will continue to reach out to all electrical contractors to become signatory to IBEW Local One and enjoy the full benefits of our highly skilled and safe workforce which is sustained through our industry-funded St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center at no taxpayer expense. We fervently believe our wage and benefit package delivers enormous value in the proficient delivery of construction projects while supporting a strong middle class so vital to the nation’s continued economic recovery.”
Jacobs said that the size of IBEW Local 1’s workforce with more than 3,400 skilled electricians and communication technicians have helped a number of local electrical contractors gain work outside the St. Louis area. “Our skills and safety are in abundance and travel well,” said Jacobs. “You’ll find our membership working on highly complex electrical projects from coast to coast.”
Founded in 1953, Rice Electrical serves commercial, industrial and manufacturing industries. Learn more at www.riceelectricalservices.com.
IBEW Local One traces its roots to the first commercial use of electricity in the 1800s and represents more than 3,400 electricians/communication technicians.