Unions like to present themselves as similar to a nonprofit organization, working for the benefit of those they supposedly represent. One of the best ways to evaluate the trustworthiness of a nonprofit is to look at the percentage of total spending that goes directly into their stated programs, versus what they spend on running the organization.
Charity watchdogs like the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and the Charity Review Council say this percentage should be no lower than 64%.
The average spending on programs of the top 100 charities in the country, according to the Forbes Top Charities list for 2023, was 87% – far above the minimum.
The image above is a list of how some well-known nonprofits stack up to this measure.
Did the IBEW even come close?
Hardly! According to their own financial statement, the IBEW posted total income of over $1.4 Billion in 2023, yet spent only 5% on Representational Activities, including strike payments. The rest was spent on salaries, benefits and perks, office space and equipment, politics, taxes, and other overhead expenses. Almost the exact opposite of organizations whose stated purpose is to help people.
4% Decrease in membership
- 2023: 699,886 96%
- 2000: 727,836 100%
54% Increase in dues collected
- 2023: $163,124,885 100%
- 2000: $75,071,692 46%
From 2000 to 2023, the IBEW National lost 27,950 members, or just about 4% of their total membership. Yet in 2023, the IBEW National collected 56% more while with fewer members. Dues, along with fines, fees and assessments, are the major source of a union’s income. How safe is your wallet?
An old adage reminds us to “choose our friends wisely.”
The table at the bottom right provides some indication of the “company you keep” with the IBEW. Another indication is how many Unfair Labor Practice charges have been filed against them. Although the IBEW National has gotten better since the late-90’s when they averaged over 300 ULP’s per year, in the last 10 years they’ve still averaged 120 ULP’s each year.
Click the image above to view a 2-page infographic about the IBEW
