Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 5, 2026
Last Updated: June 5, 2026
Website: www.ibew71.org

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IBEW Local Union 71 (“Local 71,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to our website at www.ibew71.org and all associated subdomains (collectively, the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices available to you. By using our Site, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.

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1. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly. We collect information you voluntarily submit to us through the Site, which may include:

• Name, mailing address, email address, and phone number (e.g., via contact forms or membership applications)
• Trade credentials, apprenticeship status, and employment history submitted in connection with union membership or job referral services
• Username and password when you register for a member portal or online account
• Communications you send us, including questions, complaints, or feedback
• SMS/text opt-in preferences when you enroll in our mobile texting service

Information collected automatically. When you visit our Site, certain data is collected automatically by our web server and third-party analytics tools:

• IP address and general geographic location (city/state level)
• Browser type, operating system, and device identifiers
• Pages viewed, links clicked, and time spent on the Site
• Referring URL and search terms used to find our Site
• Date and time of each visit

Note on sensitive information: We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, health information, or government-issued ID numbers through this website. Do not submit such information via our general contact forms.

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2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Union administration: Processing membership applications, maintaining member records, managing job referral books, and administering benefits.
  
• Member communications: Sending notices, newsletters, meeting announcements, job alerts, and other union-related correspondence by email, mail, or text message (where you have opted in).
  
• Site operation: Running, maintaining, and improving the Site; diagnosing technical issues; and ensuring security.
  
• Customer support: Responding to your inquiries and requests.
  
• Legal compliance: Meeting obligations under applicable federal and Ohio labor law, NLRA requirements, and union constitutional obligations.
  
• Analytics: Understanding how visitors use the Site so we can improve content and functionality.

We will not use your personal information for purposes materially different from those described above without obtaining your consent.

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 3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our Site may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and gather usage analytics. Types of cookies we may use include:

• Strictly necessary cookies: Required for the Site to function (e.g., session management for logged-in members).
  
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand visitor behavior in aggregate (e.g., Google Analytics or similar). These cookies do not identify you personally.
  
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences, such as notification dismissals or language settings.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when a cookie is being sent. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of member-only areas of the Site.

Our Site may use Google reCAPTCHA to prevent automated abuse of our forms. reCAPTCHA’s use of data is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy).

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4. How We Share Your Information

We respect your information and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• IBEW International and affiliated bodies: As required for union governance, jurisdictional reporting, or member benefit administration.
  
• AFL-CIO and affiliated organizations: For labor solidarity activities and member advocacy purposes, consistent with membership.
  
• Service providers: Third-party vendors who help us operate the Site or deliver services (e.g., web hosting via WP Engine, email platforms, texting services). These vendors are contractually required to protect your information and may only use it to perform services on our behalf.
  
• Legal requirements: When disclosure is required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Local 71, its members, or others.
  
• Business transfers: In the unlikely event of a merger, dissolution, or restructuring of Local 71, member information may be transferred to a successor organization.

Note on employer referrals: Information included on the out-of-work referral list is shared with signatory employers in the Local 71 jurisdiction for the sole purpose of filling job calls in accordance with our collective bargaining agreements and referral hall procedures.

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5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements under applicable labor law.

Member records are generally retained for the duration of active membership and for a reasonable period thereafter in accordance with union constitutional requirements and applicable law. Anonymous, aggregated analytics data may be retained indefinitely.

When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or de-identify it.

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6. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  
• Correction: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
  
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations.
  
• Opt-out of communications: Unsubscribe from non-essential email communications at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email, or by contacting us directly. Note that certain communications (e.g., legal notices required by union membership) may not be subject to opt-out.
  
• Text message opt-out: Reply STOP to any text message from Local 71 to be removed from our texting service. Explicit opt-in is required to receive texts as of February 29, 2024.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 11. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

Ohio residents: Ohio does not currently have a comprehensive consumer privacy statute comparable to some other states. We nonetheless respect the rights described above in good faith.

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7. Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. Our Site is hosted on WP Engine, which employs industry-standard security practices including SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit.

No method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your account or personal information has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

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8. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not directed at individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take prompt steps to delete it. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at the address below.

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9. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to external websites, including AFL-CIO resources, IBEW International, state labor bodies, and other union or government sites. This Privacy Policy applies only to www.ibew71.org and its subdomains. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

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10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.

Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. If you disagree with any changes, please discontinue use of the Site and contact us if you have concerns about how your previously submitted information will be handled.

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11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please reach out to us:

IBEW Local Union 71
2280 Citygate Drive
Columbus, OH 43219

Phone: (614) 539-1394
Fax: (614) 539-4855
Email: office@www.ibew71.org

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

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© 2026 IBEW Local Union 71 · Columbus, Ohio · All Rights Reserved ·