Frequently Asked Questions
NEBF NECA Chapters
Who is covered under the NEBF clause?
Is union membership required in order to participate in NEBF?
How are NEBF contributions calculated?
Can the standard language of the NEBF clause be changed in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement?
What are the standard NEBF class codes?
What is a Participation Agreement and who can be covered by it?
What is the correct way to pay NEBF when a Participation Agreement is in place?
Can working owners participate without a Participation Agreement?
Q: Who is covered under the NEBF clause?
A: Everyone doing work covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement which contains the NEBF clause - including seasonal employees, employees working under school/work programs, all levels of apprentices, pre-apprentices, and unindentured apprentices.
Q: Is union membership required in order to participate in NEBF?
A: NEBF contributions are required on all workers doing work covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) regardless of union membership or affiliation.
Q: How are NEBF contributions calculated?
A: NEBF contributions are 3% of gross labor payroll, which includes holiday, sick and vacation pay.
Q: Can the standard language of the NEBF clause be changed in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement?
A: No, the NEBF clause can not be changed or modified except by the Plan Trustees.
Q: What are the standard NEBF class codes?
A: Please click here for the complete list.
Q: What is a Participation Agreement and who can be covered by it?
A: A Participation Agreement allows a covered employer to make NEBF contributions on behalf of its non-bargaining employees.
An Alumni Participation Agreement allows for coverage of all non-bargaining workers who have previously earned at least one NEBF benefit service credit and at least 500 of those hours of service were performed while working under an IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with a Covered Employer.
An All Participation Agreement allows coverage of all non-bargaining employees of a Covered Employer. For more information, click here.
Q: What is the correct way to pay NEBF when a Participation Agreement is in place?
A: Click here for more information.
Q: Can working owners participate without a Participation Agreement?
A: Without a participation agreement, effective April 1, 2007, the NEBF will only accept contributions on behalf of owners of businesses if there is an explicit provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement permitting the owner to perform bargaining unit work.