Protect Maryland Prevailing Wage Toolkit

March 11th at 1:00 PM: Attend Hearing and Provide Testimony Against SB 675 and HB 997

The IBEW strongly encourages all local unions in Maryland to mobilize against SB 675 and HB 997 by:

  • Attending the Maryland Senate Finance Committee’s SB 675 hearing on Wednesday, March 11th, at 1:00 PM  
  • Giving oral (preferred) or written testimony for/at the March 11th hearing (deadline for submission: March 9th)   

Witness sign-up is on Monday, March 9th, between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. If you are unable to attend, you can still make your voice heard by signing up and submitting written testimony. 

CLICK HERE for step-by-step instructions for how to attend the hearing (including logistics and IBEW T-shirt pick up information), how to sign up on MyMGA to provide oral or written testimony, and sample language for oral and written testimonies that you can use or personalize. 

Additional Toolkit Materials

The IBEW is calling on all Maryland members to mobilize against Senate Bill 675 and House Bill 997. These bills directly threaten IBEW wages, IBEW jurisdiction, and IBEW jobs.

SB 675 and HB 997 would remove investor-owned utility wages from Maryland’s prevailing wage calculation for underground gas and electric distribution work. This will lower the wage benchmark that many IBEW members depend on. 

If SB 675 and HB 997 pass:

  • IBEW prevailing wage rates for underground gas and electric work will drop 
  • Contractors will bid work at lower labor costs 
  • IBEW outside utility market share will shrink 
  • IBEW wage and benefit packages will be strained 
  • Utility employers will be able to outsource at lower standards   

IBEW members already face strong competition in Maryland’s outside utility market. Cutting the wage floor only empowers that competition and weakens union standards. 

Strong prevailing wage laws protect fair wages, apprenticeship programs, and safe, high-quality infrastructure. Weakening them only benefits low-road contractors, not IBEW families. 

In addition to attending and/or testifying at the March 11th hearing, please use the additional toolkit materials below to take action:

  • Letter Campaign: Visit bit.ly/4qPypAV here to send a letter to your Maryland state legislators. Enter your mailing address, click “Start Writing,” and a sample letter will populate, telling your legislators to protect Maryland’s prevailing wage by voting NO on SB 675 and HB 997.  
  • Social Media Post with Graphics: Share these posts on social media to inform fellow IBEW members about this proposed legislation:  
    • March 11th Hearing/Testimony Post 
      • “Calling all Maryland IBEW members! Stand up for Maryland’s prevailing wage by opposing SB 675 and HB 997. Join the IBEW at the Maryland Senate Finance Committee hearing on SB 675 on March 11th at 1:00 PM ET. Sign up through MyMGA to give oral or written testimony and help protect IBEW’s wages, IBEW’s jurisdiction, and IBEW’s jobs.  https://bit.ly/3OmVcqo” [Insert SM graphic 1 and/or graphic 2] 
    • Letter Campaign Post 
      • “As a proud Maryland IBEW member, I oppose SB 675 and HB 997 because they undercut IBEW wages, jurisdiction, and jobs by lowering prevailing wage standards for underground gas and electric work. Don’t let lawmakers weaken IBEW standards. Write your Maryland state legislators today and urge them to vote NO on SB 675 and HB 997. bit.ly/4qPypAV” [Insert SM graphic 3] 
  • Additional Resources: Share these additional resources with fellow IBEW members:  
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