Location(s)

                            WELCOME TO THE LOCAL 25 IBEW
                                  TRAVEL COMMITTEE

                                JACK MAJKUT – CHAIRMAN

Fortunately or unfortunately traveling to work in other IBEW local union jurisdictions can at times be a necessity.  The Travel Committee’s sole purpose is to make traveling as easy and comfortable as possible. 

We will make every effort to provide up-to-date pertinent information:

1. Union hourly scale.
2. Reciprocity agreements.
3. Location of hall and sign up times.
4. Housing availability.
5. Types of jobs.

One major source of up-to-date information will originate from our traveling Brothers and Sisters.  Their input will make the Travel Committee a success.

Our website will continually be updated as information comes in.  The committee will meet the second Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. before our monthly Union Meeting.  All are welcome to attend and we will be seeking comments and recommendations from the membership to make this a working viable committee.
 

RULES OF THE ROAD

Why would you want to travel?

Pros

• Great way to see the country and how other locals operate.
• Good way to improve your skills with the diversity of work offered.
• You can build up your retirement and insurance and continue your benefits.
• The Brotherhood is fantastic and you make friends for life.

Cons

• A good way to go broke if you don’t know what you are doing.
• A good way to encounter family problems.
• You could wind up on Book 2 in your home local.

You have decided to Hit the Road, now what?

• Call your business manager/employment manager.  Let them know what you want to do.  Business manager/employment manager can get your paperwork in order.  Business Manager/employment manager can fill you in on the latest job info.
• Get a plan.  If you know where you are going, find out these important facts by calling the respective local and getting the latest information:

o Times and procedures for sign-in, re-sign and dispatch.
o What type travel letter (BA to BA, general, plain dues receipt) is required.
o Wage and benefit package.
o Work situation.  Do they need welders, servicemen, residential, salts, etc.
o How to get to the hall.  Don’t rely on an address.  Sometimes halls can be hard to find.
o License requirements, drug testing, etc.
o Tramp Guide

• Make sure you have enough money.  Figure around $500 a week to wait in the hall for a job.  Some halls dispatch by phone that will save you money.
• Figure out where you are going to stay.  Hotels are the most expensive.  Other options include travel trailer, rentals to share, apartments (only if the job is long enough to warrant the first, last month’s rent and security deposit).  If you have a travel trailer or motor home, you should belong to KOA, etc.  Also check if they are open in the winter.
• Join the auto club.  The free maps and route information will more than pay for itself.

How to find out where to go

All tools that you need to employ in your search

• The Internet
• Target Report
• Word of mouth

Never limit yourself to any certain area.  The more you restrict yourself, the harder it is and the less money you will make.

Overtime, 40 hours, man-camps, supporting two households

What jobs to chase is a question of personal taste.  Experience tells us that you can make just as much money working a steady 40-hour job week in a local that has a high wage and benefit package than trying to chase overtime jobs all over the country.   If you decide to chase overtime jobs, you better be in the “loop,” able to jump and run at a moment’s notice, have a special skill (welder), tax write-offs and a “home base.”

A man-camp job is easily the best way to save money.  They take a portion of your money for subsistence but furnish your food and lodging.  You can easily support two households working 40 hours.  These jobs can be found in the Rocky Mountain States and Alaska when building large projects in remote areas.

Working 40 hours and supporting two households is difficult but can be done.  You must manage your expenses and work in a local that has a high enough scale to support this. 

Sitting in the hall, waiting on a call

One of the most nerve-racking things is waiting for a call.  After dispatch, there is nothing to do except spend precious money.  Ask the Business Agent if there is anything you can do for the hall as far as organizing, picketing, handbilling, etc.  They will appreciate the offer and return the favor if possible.  The worse thing you can do is sit in a bar or tavern.  This costs money.  You can go to the library and study up on the Code, get on the Internet to find work, things that don’t cost a lot.  Get to know the brothers and sisters in the hall.  The more people you know, the better your networking for future jobs will be in the future.  If you’re new to traveling, don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

On the Job

Get an agreement if possible or a sheet that specifies your wage, insurance, pension, vacation, etc.  Know what monies you are earning and more importantly how to reciprocate them back home or get them out when you leave.  Know the trust fund policies and conditions.   If someone doesn’t like the way you work, wants  to walk or wobble the job, slow the job down, start trouble, etc, go to the steward and let him know what’s going on.  When in another jurisdiction you take orders from the political force that is in power.   If it starts getting ugly on a job, and sometimes does during elections, keep your mouth shut and do your job.   Don’t listen to the Carhart attorneys in the lunch shack.  The local members elected the officers in control in accordance to the by-laws, the way it should be.  If some members don’t like it, they can run for office.  Stay out of it.  When working, call your home local and let them know where you are working and what the situation is.  Maybe you can help someone who needs a job also.

Overtime

How the steward runs the overtime is his business.  If you don’t like it, ask him about it.  If you don’t like his answer, live with it or leave.  Overtime and how it is distributed is always a “hot” topic.  Most savvy stewards have an “overtime” list.  The worker with the least overtime hours gets the overtime, but not always.

When you leave

Shake the hand of the Business Manager or Representative.  Let them know you appreciate the work and maybe your home local can help them out some day.  Check with the secretaries to make sure you are paid up on dues.  Also check on any vacation or other funds that are held so you know how to get them out.  Your home local will be known on how you worked and how your left.  If you don’t like the BA or the Local, just leave.  By starting trouble, you just make it harder for the next traveler.  Let the local members clean up the local or job, not you.

Taxes and the IRS

Document all expenses with receipts and keep them in order.  “Dome” publications have some very good travel diaries and record-keeping books at most office supply stores.  This is a must to please the IRS.   Do everything legally.

Skill upgrade classes

Most locals have welcome travelers to attend their skill upgrade and journeyman classes.  Don’t feel that since you are a traveler that they don’t want you to participate.  Most locals feel that we need the best-trained workforce to compete in today’s marketplace.  Please take advantage of these fine programs.

Attend union meetings as a guest

It is a member’s responsibility to know when the union meetings are.  As a member you have the right to attend meetings and most local welcome you if you behave yourself.  Some locals will close off part of the meeting due to finances being discussed, respect their rules.  DO NOT GO WITH AN ATTITUDE!!  If you have a problem, take it up with the steward or business agent.  If you start trouble in a meeting, you probably will be on the first layoff where you are working.  Remember that you have no vote or voice in another local’s meeting (IBEW Constitution Art. XXIII, Sec. 1).  Locals will usually let you say something under Good of the Union in most cases though.

Double Booking

Even though there is no language in the Constitution about it, the worst thing you can do as a traveler is “Double-book.”  What this means is working while you are on the out-of-work list in other locals except your own.  Most locals will allow you to keep your name on your home list and no other, but I have run across some that don’t like that either.  Remember to take your name off any books you may have signed when you take a long call.  By double-booking, you can take a job away from a brother or sister who is out of work and in need.

FLE’S AND BEE’S

The great thing about traveling is meeting all different kinds of brothers and sisters.  Sooner or later you will meet a FLE or BEE.  They are no different than any other organization and they do know where the work is.  Just remember your “Rules of the Road” and you will be okay.

Get involved with the local

The IBEW is no stronger than the members.  If you can help out with union activities please let the hall know by volunteering.  I have had many travelers help out on fair booths, organizing, picnics and it is always a pleasure to have the help and I never have seen a traveler turned away from a volunteer effort.

Putting your ticket in or “Jamming” your ticket!

You might find that the local you are working in is a good bunch of guys, a good union and you want to stay there.  If you are indeed involved with the local in a positive way by helping out, more than likely someone on the Executive Board or staff may ask you to put your ticket in.  This is quite an honor and if the local officers are cool with it, you should do it.  I call this “putting your ticket in.”  “Jamming” your ticket is when you force your Book 1 rights.  Every local is different when putting your ticket in and some locals have a moratorium on letting travelers in their local.    Get involved in the local first, then, if you like the local, ask how you can put your ticket in. 

Help make this a better committee

Please make this a better committee by giving us your input.  Your experiences on the road can help all IBEW brothers and sisters have a more enjoyable time working in other jurisdictions.

(REPRINTED IN PART FROM THE IBEW COMMUNICATIONS WEB)
ITEMS OF NECESSITY FOR TRAVEL

1. Paid dues receipt from Local #25

2. Wallet.

3. Money – at least $500 per week while waiting for a job call.

4. Credit or Debit Card – only emergencies.

5. Auto Club Card – usually available from car insurance for a fee.

6. First Aid Kit for car.

7. Battery, jumper cables, extra fan belt, extra oil, anti-freeze, instant flat fix, roll of duct tape and plastic tape.

8. Alarm clock.

9. Wrist watch.

10. Thermos Bottle (stainless steel is the best choice).

11. Portable radio and extra batteries.

12. Flashlight and extra batteries.

13. Eyeglasses if required.

14. Individual Medications if needed.

15. Ten dollars worth of change in coins and ten dollars in singles for tolls.

16. Playmate cooler, ice packs, two (2) water bottles to fit in cooler.

17. Tupperware sandwich containers (two to four).

18. Shaving gear – razors, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, band aids, tube of Neosporin, Q-tips.

19. Work clothes – Carharts, gloves, jeans, flannel shirts, sweatshirts, and at least seven pairs of socks, underwear and tee-shirts.

20. Tool box with lock, tool pouch and tools.

21. Work shoes, sneakers, dress shoes, work belt, dress belt and dress shirts.

22. Clothes hangers, laundry bag, small sewing kit.

23. Bath towels and face towels (two of each), a pillow, blankets, comforter, pillow cases and two sets of sheets.

24. Coffee pot (Mr. Coffee) filters, coffee maker, dry milk.

25. Winter coat.

26. Suitcases, two to three guy bags and trash bags.

We’ve comprised a comprehensive travel form with important information.  When our traveling brothers and sisters return the form we will be able to update our information.  The travel form is posted in the “Forms” area of this website.  If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions to add to the travel form, please feel free to let the Travel Committee know.