Is your boss kind enough to loan you money to pay for the power tools he needs to get his jobs done, and then withhold your repayments right out of your checks? What a saint.

This is a pretty common arrangement in the non-union world, and it makes me want to spit just thinking about it. Anyone involved in something like this should read up on company scrip and company stores in the old mining towns. Workers of generations past literally died, in pitched battle, to put an end to similar practices.

If it's all you've ever known, you wouldn't even think to be upset about it, but I'm telling you, you should be upset about it. Power tools are a cost of doing business. Your boss keeps all the profit from the jobs you put in for him, but he shifts his costs to you as much as possible.

What happens if one of your power tools malfunctions and hurts someone, or damages something? Who's responsible? What happens if one of your power tools gets lost or stolen? Who's responsible?

Members of IBEW Local 666, thankfully, don't have to worry about such things. We have a list of tools we must provide. They are all small, common hand tools, and if packed properly, they can all easily fit in a standard 18-20" toolbox. We may provide additional small hand tools at our option, but we may not provide power tools, socket sets, knock out sets, or benders. Those are contractor provided.

We have a better way of doing things in the IBEW. We don't become indebted to our employers. It's actually sad that in 2024, not becoming indebted to your employer is a selling point, but here we are.

If you would like to live a better life, please message me today.