The Joint Industry Board of Electrical Industry (JIBEI) plans to establish a new union electrician training center in the Herald Center, at the corner of Broadway and West 34th Street, according to property owner JEMB Realty.
The business group has signed a lease to occupy 30,000 square feet of space in the 10-story, 250,000-square-foot building, which is located at 1293 Broadway across from the Macy’s Herald Square site. The center will host training classes for trainee electricians and educational and cultural programs for members of the union. JIBEI will also maintain its main office in the Pomonoc neighborhood in eastern Queens.
A JEMB spokesperson did not provide the lease application or lease term for the deal.
JIBEI is a labor management organization run by Union Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the New York Electrical Contractors Association that administers benefits for members and provides training for apprentices and longtime electricians. Its new space will also include an IBEW Local 3 office.
“Ultimately, New Yorkers win — union wages promote economic equality, build worker power in the communities where they live, and provide safer working conditions,” said Christine DiNapoli, president of the Electrical Contractors Association.
Ken Ruderman of Savills represents JIBEI, and Brian Waterman, Brent Ozarowski, Kevin Sullivan and Cole Gendels of Newmark are handling the JEMB transaction.
“We are pleased to welcome JIBEI and Local Union No. 3, who play a critical role in our city’s continued growth, to the Herald Center,” a JEMB Realty spokesperson said.
Electrical Trade Group will manage one of several pre-built educational spaces that make up the fifth through ninth floors of the building.
Rebecca Bird-Remba can be reached at rbairdremba@commercialobserver.com.
