Loading...As end users – when you start a project, you purchase electrical equipment just as much as you purchase those who install it.
The NECA/IBEW team recognizes the gravity of the situation you face and so as not to cheapen your choice, but to call attention to it, we’ve come up with a program whereby each and every craftsman and woman puts to ink common core values to abide by and live up to every minute they’re on – and off – the clock.
It’s called “The Code of Excellence” and it’s your guarantee that when you chose us – you chose the very best.
We went to Omaha, Nebraska, where more than 800 IBEW members have gone through a new Code of Excellence training class, to see how it’s working out for NECA, the IBEW and most importantly, you, the end-user.
For as long as the IBEW has existed, there have been core values each member holds dear – and when it comes right down to it, it means IBEW members hold themselves up to a higher standard than their non-union counterparts.
The Code of Excellence, an ongoing program developed by the IBEW and endorsed by their NECA contractors, is a way to codify the things that IBEW craftsmen have always done.
Simply, it gives customers piece of mind knowing that they can expect certain things on each and every Code of Excellence job: each IBEW member to perform their work safely and productively. They’ll show up on time. They’ll work hard through until break time. They’ll not use cell phones, unless they’re on break. The break will fill up the allotted time, not a minute more. They’ll give an honest eight hours of work for eight hours of pay.
The code is a living and breathing document – seen through our electricians, witnessed by management and evident to those writing the checks.
Gary Kelly, BM, Local 22
“We have an effective program that we’re proud of, which we think we have at the present time. It’s delivering on our promise to the customers. If we’re selling something on the front end of the job and we’re not delivering it on the back end of the job, we’re doing a disservice to the customer.”
David Nielsen, director of technology and budget, building manager, college of business administration, UNL
“It’s kind of that old-school work ethic. And I will tell you, I have not had that experience in other jobs.”
A recent example of a job done under the Code of Excellence is Mammel Hall on the campus of the University of Nebraska – Omaha. The job is a three-story, 120,000-square- foot building that will host 1,000 students per day and features interactive touch screens, a massive, 196 seat auditorium and LEED certification, thanks to the many technologies installed by the NECA-IBEW team.
The $27.6 million dollar facility had state of the art energy savings installed custom, including UV lights installed in the chilled water coil, providing clean air to the building 24 hours a day, temperature and carbon dioxide sensors in each office that control the amount of outside air serving each part of the building, and sensors and lot diffusers allowing for manual control.
Matt Newman, steward Local 22
“I do it as I’d want it in my house, and I’m pretty particular.”
Everything in Mammel Hall is also centrally controlled – allowing for everything to be managed in a cost-efficient manner.
The Code of Excellence has been a big part of the electrical install at the site and at other sites around Omaha. People are talking about it – and not only electricians, but building owners and developers, as well.
David Nielsen, director of technology and budget, building manager, college of business administration, UNL
“With this job, I know what’s going on all the time because of communication.”
Frank Nuno, Electric Company of Omaha, project manager
“My personal opinion of the Code of Excellence is that it’s successful because it has started a dialogue between union leadership and us as a contractor to really make a management team that includes the union hall instead of just always have a one way dialogue from the contractor to the union hall.”
The IBEW International office has asked every local to adopt the Code of Excellence from coast to coast – getting a leg up on the competition that is allowing the union electrician to become more competitive in the short- and long-term.
David Nielsen, director of technology and budget, building manager, college of business administration, UNL
“To save 10 cents today, but it’s going to cost you a dollar a year from now, it doesn’t make sense.”
Eugene “Charlie” Graeve III, general foreman, Miller Electric
“It doesn’t go on to be just a sales tool, it’s actually the real deal.”
Todd Harris, foreman, Local 22
“Well, reputation is everything and if you don’t have reputation, you have nothing. And customer service plays a big part in that. As long as you make the customer happy and get what they want, and give them ideas of if something they want doesn’t work, to give them an idea of what could work, then I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Building on our reputation as the best electricians in the world, the NECA-IBEW team is using the Code of Excellence in Omaha and around the country to deliver unparalleled service and results to building owners and municipalities.
If you want the Code of Excellence on your next job – A call to your local IBEW office will give you a good head start.