The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is a labor union that represents approximately 820,000 workers and retirees[1] in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada,[3] Guam,[4][5] Panama,[6] Puerto Rico,[7] and the US Virgin Islands;[7] in particular electricians, or inside wiremen, in the construction industry and lineworkers and other employees of public utilities.

The union also represents some workers in the computer, telecommunications, and broadcasting industries, and other fields related to electrical work.

At the 1899 convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the union's name was officially changed to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

That body still functions today, and has largely resolved strikes in the IBEW's jurisdiction in the construction industry.

[citation needed] Today, the IBEW conducts apprenticeship programs for electricians, linemen, and VDV (voice, data, and video) installers (who install low-voltage wiring such as computer networks), in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association, under the auspices of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC), which allows apprentices to "earn while you learn."