The Council on Industrial Relations (CIR) exists as a result of the mutual determination of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to provide a forum for the peaceful resolution of labor disputes in the electrical contracting industry.

The services of the Council are available to either or both parties to a labor dispute whose local labor agreement provides for this means of resolving negotiating or grievance impasses. The Council encourages and supports local agreements. The Council does not solicit business. It exists to serve the industry and to help resolve only those issues upon which an impasse has been reached. Use of the Council should not be abused, nor should it be used as an excuse for not exhausting every possible effort by both parties to resolve disputes locally. The Council was never intended to be a substitute for the development of good faith labor-management relations on the local level.

It is the desire of the Council on Industrial Relations that all parties who appear before it be given ample opportunity to present the facts and evidence in support of their individual positions. However, it is recommended by the Council that these presentations be concise and to the point.

There is a guide whose purpose is to amplify and clarify the important points in the submission and presentation of a case to the Council as viewed from the standpoint of people who have had experience rendering decisions. The first step is very important to assure that your case will be scheduled for the next session of Coucil. You must request submission forms from the Secretary of the Council according to the provisions set forth in your collective bargaining agreement.