MEMBERSHIP

The types of WECA membership and dues structures are as follows, subject to change upon the approval of the Board of Directors:

Member Contractors

WECA Membership Dues cannot be deducted as Charitable Contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes.  However, they may be considered as ordinary and necessary business expenses for your company except for 7.37%, which are non-deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes due to lobbying activities. Click here to view a sheet showing WECA membership dues.
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Note: Training fees are not included in Member Contractors' dues. They are in addition to dues (see Billing Policies section)

Industry Partner Members

Subscriber Agreement

Effective April 15, 2010, the WECA Board of Directors and the Apprentice and Training Committee adopted the following policy for electrical contractors that wish to train apprentices but not join WECA as a Contractor Member.  This apprentice-training affiliation is called a Subscriber Agreement and is available to California licensed C-10 or C-7 electrical contractors that would like to obtain apprentices from WECA for training and/or meeting labor compliance wage/hiring requirements but do not wish to join an association to do so. 

This Subscriber Agreement allows non-WECA members to employ WECA apprentices under certain restrictions and requirements listed below, after being approved to train by the Association and agreeing to follow WECA’s Apprenticeship Standards, Employer Rules and Regulations, and pay applicable fees to WECA’s Training Trust, Health & Welfare Trust and Pension Trust on behalf of the apprentice.

Applicants for Subscriber Agreements with WECA are subject to a standard credit check.  If no credit report is available for the Applicant or if it reflects poor or even mediocre credit, a refundable apprentice security deposit or Bond will be required for each apprentice the Contractor seeks to employ.  Information about Security Deposits can be found in the WECA Contractor Handbook under the section titled: Credit Ratings and Applications to Become Approved to Train.

The apprentice security deposits for each program are:

• Commercial - $1840 per Apprentice

• Residential - $480 per Apprentice

• VDV - $640 per Apprentice

Subscriber Agreement Applicants will also be subject to the following additional restrictions and requirements: 

• Agreement would be job specific and would remain in effect until the end of the Job

• Monthly Hours Report Due & Payable by 15^th of month – apprentices to be removed from the contractors employ on the 16^th if not paid

• Mandatory pre-authorized ACH or Credit Card Payment monthly

• Must take the next available apprentice – no interview - can not specify class year preference for apprentice dispatch – can only return without starting the apprentice working if apprentice does not meet contractors pre-hire or background requirements – An Apprentice Return Slip will be required

• Journeyman Contributions must be made to WECA

• Copies of Certified Payroll Reports and/or Apprentice Pay Stubs required upon request

• DAS140 and information on Awarding Body and Bond must be received by WECA

• Initial apprentice dispatch must be for a minimum of 32 Hours to be worked during the first 7 days of employment

• WECA Members get primary preference for dispatch

• WECA will not recruit new apprentices for non-members nor indenture existing employees as new apprentices for non-members

• Subscribers will receive no other member benefits

• Prevailing Wage Assistance applicable to Apprentice Wage & Jman Contribution only

• Apprentices dispatched to a subscriber will be briefed by WECA and advised to report any job location changes, pay or supervision concerns to WECA immediately

• Subscribing contractor owner and/or senior level management must attend a Mandatory Orientation before dispatch

Honorary Members

WECA members fully appreciate the honor and responsibilities that go with membership in this Association.

We therefore pledge ourselves to always conduct our business affairs in an ethical manner that will uphold and elevate the prestige of this Association and merit shop electrical contractors.

We pledge ourselves to zealously guard the best interests of our industry and the public at all times.

We shall recommend adequate wiring and quality materials on every installation.

We shall train ourselves and our employees to do all work in accordance with local and national electrical codes and good engineering standards.

We shall keep ourselves and our employees posted on the latest progressive engineering ideas and developments in material and equipment.

We shall maintain good working conditions in our shops and on our jobs and pay our employees a fair wage for their labor.

We shall work all our contracts in a clear and definitive manner.

We shall live up to all bona fide agreements with customers, suppliers and employees.

We shall not knowingly indulge in any unfair trade practices.

We shall not knowingly or purposely solicit other WECA member contractor employees, journeymen or apprentices.

We pledge ourselves to regularly attend meetings that are held in close proximity and to take an active part in Association affairs.

In order for a contractor to realize the full value of their association membership, the WECA Board strongly encourages each new WECA member to have a company representative (owner or key employee) attend at least one Association event, committee meeting or Board/ATC meeting within the first year of membership, either in person, conference call or via video conference*. Member contractors are also strongly encouraged to volunteer their time or a company representative's time for continued participation in such meetings and events beyond the first year of membership in order to provide guidance and direction into the support and progress of the association. For information on ways to participate in Association activities, contact the Marketing & Communications Director at (877) 444-9322, ext. 122. 

*Contact the WECA office to inquire about utilizing the video conference system.

Training and Education

• Nationally recognized State and Federally approved apprenticeship curriculum and training in two-week formats:
• Commercial Inside Wireman (5-year program)
• Residential Wireman (3-year program)
• Sound and Communications Systems Installer (Voice/Data/Video) (3-year program)
• Hands-on tool demonstrations and jobsite related seminars
• Electrician Trainee Program
• State Certification Exam Preparation classes
• National Electrical Code (NEC) classes
• Prevailing Wage tutorials and business management courses for Member Contractors and their employees

Networking

• Annual Day at the Capitol and other politically oriented events
• Annual Golf Tournament
• Annual Member Meeting and Installation of Officers
• Local Membership Meetings for networking and fellowship

Communications

• Free HR California Express Account
• Weekly EBulletins with updates on industry trends and WECA activity, political matters and events
• WECA website with links to key news and information
• WECA Member and Student Newsletters
• Opportunity to sponsor Apprentice graduations, Member Meetings and other events
• Discounted and enhanced products and services from both WECA Industry Partners

Help to Run Your Business

• Shared Workforce Program allow Member Contractors to trade labor
• Online Electrician Job Referral Service allows Member Contractors to quickly find electricians who are looking for work
• Online WECAStore for ordering industry specific clothing, tools and supplies
• Free notary service (at WECA Sacramento Office)

Governmental Affairs

• Annual Joint Merit Shop Legislative Conference to meet and influence California's legislators about issues the impact WECA members and their employees
• Promotion of fair trade legislation and policies; representation on merit ship issues, particularly those affecting electrical contracting business; proactive defense strategies and public debates against Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
• Timely communications on legislative and labor union activities

Code and Safety

• WECA is currently updating our curriculum to NEC 2008 code and has plans to work on 2011 updates throughout 2010 and 2011, as needed. WECA also continually incorporates updated safety training into our curriculum.
• WECA regularly shares highlights on code and safety updates with our members and students through our website, bi-weekly e-bulletins and quarterly newsletters.