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Get insights into the collaborative efforts between the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48.
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For over a century, NECA/IBEW Local 48’s electricians have helped build Oregon and SW Washington. NECA and IBEW Local 48 have partnered in labor-management relations to lead the region’s electrical industry, working on such high-profile projects as the Rose Garden Arena (now the Moda Center), Portland International Airport, Tilikum Crossing and MAX Light Rail stations.
Our contractors are located in: Astoria, Banks, Battleground, Beaverton, Clackamas, Estacada, Fairview, Forest Grove, Garibaldi, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Hood River, Longview, Manning, Milwaukie, Molalla, Mulino, North Plains, Oregon City, Portland, Salem, Sandy, Scappoose, The Dalles, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, Vancouver, Vernonia, Warrenton, & Yamhill
Achieving New Heights: NECA/IBEW Local 48 Partnership Powers the New PDX Airport
NewsIn 2019, Portland International Airport embarked on an ambitious transformation, kicking off the PDX Next project with the demolition of the outdated Concourse A. This $2 billion initiative aims to revolutionize the travel experience by introducing bright, airy spaces, expanding the number of gates and flights, and bolstering earthquake resilience. While construction has been a […]
Mentorship offers electricians a safe space for growth and retention
NewsMentorship is vital for union apprentices to succeed in the construction industry and for companies to retain them. The management at Christenson Electric saw that mentorship provided their apprentices a better experience, and started a mentoring program to heighten the connection between all apprentices and experienced leaders. “Many apprentices feel they do not have a […]
Union apprenticeship programs reduce social inequalities in Oregon’s construction industry
NewsDiversity, success rates rank higher in union-led apprenticeship programs compared to nonunion programs Construction is the third fastest growing industry in Oregon, and union-led apprenticeship programs are empowering women and people of color to build skillsets to join the industry. More opportunities for construction workers are on the horizon, with a continuous rise in labor […]
IBEW Honors Life Savers
NewsIBEW Local 48 recognized three members for heroic actions—for saving the lives of two ironworkers after a roof collapse on a construction project in summer 2020. At the union’s Dec. 15 meeting, members Kevin Jorgenson and Keoki Hookano each received the IBEW Life Saving Award, and Sergey Elikh received the IBEW Certificate of Recognition. The […]
Local women blaze trails in male-dominated electrical industry
NewsIn the electrical industry, which still has a predominantly male workforce, two local women have carved their own paths. President and co-owner of Christenson Electric, Sonja Rheaume has been with the company for 14 years. Founded in 1945 as a family business, Christenson Electric has changed hands a few times. In 2008, only one year […]
Changing the status quo in the trades to build solidarity
NewsFrom being bused to a previously all-white school as a young student to having two foremen actively try to cause her physical harm, the days of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48 business representative Donna Hammond experiencing overt racism are mostly in the past. Hammond hopes that sharing the experiences she’s had throughout […]
New electrical trades maternity benefit sets nationwide standard
NewsIn January 2020, a new Maternity Benefit Plan went into effect that was made available by IBEW Local 48 in partnership with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Harrison Electrical Workers Trust Fund. To our knowledge, this is the first of its kind in the nation. Since the plan went into effect at […]
Overcoming troubled past to become a skilled electrician
NewsKaitlyn Kettner grew up dreaming of becoming a nurse, but the tradeswoman actually started laying the foundation early on for what would be her career as an electrician. “All my life, I’ve been curious how things work,” said Kettner. In addition to taking a welding course in high school, Kettner also helped her father, a […]
Reflecting on one year of safety in the electrical industry during the Covid-19 Era
NewsSafety has always been a priority in Portland’s construction industry but Covid-19 caught the industry, and the world, by surprise. It was only one year ago our training center had to close and the 2020 spring quarter canceled to comply with executive orders. Despite the ongoing safety and health challenges, the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center […]
Career tradesman reflects on electrical industry’s appeal
NewsWork hard, be on time, and follow through were values that Clay Kingston’s father, a first-generation IBEW electrician, instilled in him growing up. Kingston saw firsthand what a career in the trades can provide for a family and for retirement. He decided to follow his father’s path and join the union trades. Now, he is […]