Unions in Energy

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Union Apprenticeships

An Introduction to Unions in the Energy Industry

man lifting his yellow hardhat wearing safety gloves

Labor unions have been at the heart of the energy industry for generations, safely building, maintaining, and advancing the systems that keep our world moving. Today, approximately 18% of the sector’s workforce is unionized. Despite the strong history of union engagement within the sector, many people don’t fully understand what unions are, how they operate, and how to connect with labor organizations and their training.

Joining a union means more than just a job: it’s access to top-notch training, competitive pay, strong benefits, and a community that has your back. Whether you’re just starting out, re-entering the workforce, or looking to change careers, unions offer clear pathways to skilled, high-demand roles in everything from construction and manufacturing to power generation and linework. If you’re ready to earn while you learn, work with pride, and be part of something bigger, a union career could be your next step.

Key Features of Union Membership

Safety and Training:

Unions work with employers to ensure strong safety standards, thorough training, and staffing levels that ensure safe operations.

Collective Bargaining:

Unions negotiate contracts (or Collective Bargaining Agreements) with management covering wages, benefits, work hours, safety procedures, and working conditions for everyone in the union. This gives workers more leverage than negotiating individually.

Wages and Benefits:

Unionized energy workers often earn higher wages and have better health insurance and retirement plans compared to their non-union counterparts because the union can negotiate at the bargaining table.

Job Security:

Union contracts typically include rules for layoffs and promotions based on factors like seniority. They also include grievance procedures to challenge some terminations and disciplinary actions.

Dues:

Members are required to pay regular dues to the union. These fees cover the costs of apprenticeships, negotiation, legal representation, administrative functions, and political advocacy.

There are many benefits of belonging to a union; however, not everyone chooses a union career path, and there are numerous other employment entry points.

Get To Know the Industry’s Unions

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Represents government energy workers, including some at the Department of Energy. Currently it has over 1.4 million members. It is the largest public service employees union in the United States. www.afge.org

International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, AFL-CIO (IW)

Represents the skilled tradespeople who erect, reinforce, rig, weld, and install the steel and concrete backbones of the entire energy system —from power plants to wind turbines and transmission towers. www.ironworkers.org

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW)

Represents workers in mechanical insulation, firestopping, asbestos & hazardous material handling, soundproofing & acoustical systems, and energy audits & retrofits. www.insulators.org

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)

Represents machinists and technicians in energy facilities, particularly in nuclear and aerospace-related energy sectors. www.goiam.org

International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)

Represents sheet metal workers, welders, fabricators, HVAC and ventilation specialists, and rail transportation workers. They are essential for both building and operating energy facilities and for moving the resources and equipment that power the sector. www.smart-union.org

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB)

Represents workers who build and maintain boilers, pressure vessels, and similar structures, common in power generation plants. boilermakers.org

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

Represents electrical workers, utility workers, lineworkers, and increasingly, people working in renewable energy like wind and solar. ibew.org

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)

Represents workers in logistics, hauling fuel, and some utility and construction roles. teamster.org

International Federation of Professional Technical Engineers (IFPTE)

Represents several different groups in the energy industry especially engineers, technical and utility professionals working for power generation, transmission & distribution, and public utilities. www.ifpte.org

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)

Represents refractory bricklayers, industrial masonry specialists, restoration and conservation specialists, and tile, marble, and terrazzo workers. bacweb.org

International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)

Represents workers who operate and maintain heavy equipment, including power plants and construction of energy facilities. www.iuoe.org

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)

Represents industrial painters, drywall finishers, glazers in the areas that involve surface preparation, protective coatings, insulation, and finishing. They contribute to both construction and maintenance phases across multiple energy sectors. www.iupat.org

Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)

Represents construction laborers who work on pipelines, renewable energy installations, and nuclear plant maintenance. www.liuna.org

Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA)

They represent cement Masons & concrete finishers, and plasterers. www.opcmia.org

United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA)

Represents pipefitters and welders, important for oil, gas, nuclear, and hydrogen energy sectors. https://ua.org

United Steelworkers (USW)

Represents oil refinery workers, chemical workers, and pipeline workers. https://usw.org

Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)

Represents workers in gas, electric, water, and nuclear industries. Unlike building trades unions (who build energy infrastructure), UWUA members are typically the operators, maintainers, and customer-facing. https://uwua.net