Organized in 1890 In St. Louis, Missouri as The Electrical Wireman and Linemans' Union No. 5221, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers became a national labor union and AFL-CIO affiliate on November 1st,1891. Since then, the IBEW has consistently been the largest and loudest voice representing the interests of electrical workers throughout the USA, Canada, and across the globe. Besides representing electricians of all stripes, the IBEW has been active in promoting an apprenticeship program to give anyone wanting to learn the trade a good education and experience in the field. Current membership stands at 750,000.