Welcome to Local 26

Thank you for visiting the website of Washington, DC's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 26. We have the best electricians in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Imagine a job in the electrical industry where you can earn while you learn. Electricians' jobs are some of the most technical jobs in America, and Local 26 provides the highest quality, technical training to its members. Here at Local 26, we believe in standing up for our members rights and always have their best interest in mind. Our staff of Business Representatives is here to help you when you need them.

From Roanoke, VA, to Lanham, MD, IBEW Local Union 26 has state-of-the-art training facilities with instructors who are second to none. The work of our unionized construction electricians speaks for itself. Our apprenticeship training and residential upgrade programs are top-notch, and no one can compete with the level of skilled craftsmanship that our journeymen bring to the job site. Our vast jurisdiction encompasses the District of Columbia, five counties in Maryland and 44 counties in Virginia. Our electricians have been part of the most exciting projects in the area--from the White House to the World War II Memorial, to the most recent Nationals Stadium and National Harbor. We will continue to build and maintain projects large and small.

Please take some time to browse our NEW website. Here you will be able to link to our affiliates, find information on our training programs and what Local 26 has to offer, as well as easily access information for our current members.

Thank you for visiting…and as always…BUILD IT UNION…BE UNION!

A  History of Power

In 1892, the year IBEW Local 26 got its charter, Washington, D.C. was comprised of dirt roads, cow pastures, and only a few of the monuments that stand today. By 1894, Local 26 members had set the U. S. Capitol ablaze with lights for the first time in history.

As the country's demand for power accelerated, Local 26 became involved in rates and usage in an effort to make electricity more generally available. All the while, the Union demonstrated its devotion to the community of organized labor by striving for better working conditions, pay and security.

World War II brought a work boom, and the huge 34-acre Pentagon gave Local 26 a big push. After the War, there was the rush to the suburbs, and new homes, shopping malls and schools were constructed in nearby Maryland and Virginia. By the mid 1960's, the spotlight turned to the construction of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — said to be the largest all-electric building in the world at that time. Its magnificent chandeliers were hung by Local 26 electricians. In the 1970's, agreements with the Washington Daily News and The Evening Star, and the enormous Metro system made Local 26 the dominant force in powering the Nation's Capitol.

In 2006, Local 26 moved in to a new headquarters in Lanham, Maryland, which has allowed our JATC to expand their training to over 30,000 square feet. The classrooms are comprised of the latest technology available for the training of our new apprentices and to further educate our journeymen. We also have an 18,000 square foot training facility in Manassas, Virginia. In addition, we have expanded to Southern Maryland where we enjoy a partnership with North Point High School. Our satellite office in Roanoke, Virginia is the location of another training center. Because of the excellent training we offer our apprentices and journeymen, Local 26 members enjoy higher wages and better benefits than ever before.