BALTIMORE STAGEHANDS LOCAL 19, IATSE
EXECUTIVE BOARD REFERRAL POLICY NO. 5
INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCAL 19 REFERRAL TECHNICIANS
(First Adopted September 19,2011)
The following represent the expectations of Local 19 and its referral of technicians to signatory employers. Consistent with the Local’s standing Referral Procedures, and with the terms and conditions observed under the Local Union’s collective bargaining agreements, the following are mandatory conditions of referral and continuing employment for all Local 19 work. The violation of any one of these policies may result, in the suspension or forfeiture of referral privileges, in dismissal from the job and/or further disciplinary action.
1) BE ON TIME: It is essential that all persons report to each and every job at least fifteen minutes prior to the commencement of work. This allows each individual to prepare for the work day and be ready to begin work at the prescribed time. Being late to a job is grounds for being sent home from a job without pay. Repeated tardiness is grounds for losing your referral privileges. Do not park at a parking meter that you will need to continually feed when you go to a work call. Once you report for work, you are expected to remain at work. This is what you are paid to do.
2) DRESS AS INSTRUCTED BY THE OFFICE: Every referral has a dress code as directed by the employer for that specific job. The dress codes are as follows:
WORK CLOTHES - Casual, clean clothes; long pants (jeans), shirt (non-offensive), appropriate work shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, or slippers). Dress appropriate for the expected weather.
SHOW BLACKS - Same as work clothes except all clothing is black.
DRESS CLOTHES - Business casual, dress button down shirt or polo Shirt, Dockers or dress pants, dress shoes. No bright or loud colored clothing.
DRESS BLACKS - Same as Dress clothes except all clothing is black. Sometimes a black blazer or dress coat may be required.
COAT AND TIE - Conservative style suit coat or blazer with a dress shirt, tie, and pants, in a dark or neutral color. Black or brown dress shows. (men)
Conservative style dress slacks and coat, with a light shirt or blouse. Practical dress shoes. (no high heels or skirts) (women)
Most load-ins and load-outs- Work Clothes (Rock shows, Broadway shows, Steel calls, warehouse calls, etc. etc.
Most show calls- Show blacks
All calls at Hilton hotel- Dress Blacks
All show calls at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall- Coat and Tie
All show calls at Convention Center- Dress Clothes or Dress Blacks, sometimes Coat and Tie CHECK WITH JOB STEWARD
All A/V calls at other venues: Load-ins/outs work clothes or dress clothes
Show calls dress clothes or dress blacks
CHECK WITH JOB STEWARD OR BUSINESS AGENT WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT THESE CALLS
FAILURE TO WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHES TO WORK MAY GET YOU SENT HOME FROM THE JOB BECAUSE OF THE EMPLOYER’S EXPECTATIONS.
3) BRING YOUR TOOLS: Unless otherwise instructed by the office, every technician is expected to come to each job with the tools required to execute all aspects of the position to which you have been referred. Technicians are not expected to bring power tools or major diagnostic tools to the job with them with the exception of battery operated screw guns and hand held meters when appropriate. Technicians are expected to wear a tool belt and carry the tools that they need to perform their jobs at all times. Failure to do so when asked by your department head may lead to dismissal. See the tool lists below.
4) PAYROLL RECORDS: You must bring with you to each job the identification papers needed to complete the paperwork needed to be paid (I-9, W-4, MW-507). This usually means your Driver’s License and Social Security Card or your Passport. Doing so will help to speed up the payroll process. Keep track of your job numbers, your employer and steward, the hours and days you work. Allow two weeks from the end of each job for payment. NEVER contact the employer first about a payroll problem!
5) UNEMPLOYMENT: The Union’s position on unemployment benefits is that all concerned are obligated to follow the law. Under LE§ 8-801(a) of the Maryland Unemployment Code, to be eligible for benefits an individual must be “unemployed”. An individual is “unemployed” for purposes of LE§ 8-801(b) if he/she does not perform work for which wages are payable, and under LE§ 8-903(a)(1) if the individual is able and available to work, and is “actively seeking work”. Any member or registered stagehand who declines work offered under the Union’s Referral Procedures is not “actively seeking work”, and, therefore, may not apply for or accept unemployment benefits. It is unlawful to accept unemployment benefits when referral work is available. Please keep in mind, if you are filing for benefits, that Local #19, I.A.T.S.E. is not your employer.
6) BE PROFESSIONAL: The rates and conditions enjoyed by technicians working under Local 19's collective bargaining agreements mandate that technicians conduct themselves in a professional manner that will further the interests of Local 19, its employers and the other technicians who work under those agreements. Do not expect to be rewarded beyond your pay. Do not eat food that is intended for use by the client unless instructed to do so. Do not take merchandise from a client unless the client offers it to you. Do not solicit food, gifts or other rewards from a client.
7) COMMUNICATE: Local 19 has a business agent on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Should you experience any difficulties regarding a job to which you are going, a job that you are on, or a job that you have already been on, call the Local 19 number, 410.889.1901. You may leave a message at the office if the problem does not require attention outside of business hours. If the problem is an emergency and needs the immediate attention of the B.A., outside of normal business hours, use the Business Agent cell number 410.382.4187. DO NOT call the business agent’s cell number to discuss personal matters or upcoming calls.
Every Local 19 call also has a Job Steward. If there is any concern or issue on a job please bring it to their attention first before contacting the Business Agent. The Steward should be able to resolve most issues on a job that should arise. If the Steward cannot resolve the issue or concern, then contact the Business Agent. DO NOT go to the employer or road crew with any concerns or issues on the job, your Union representative will take care of it.
8) CELL PHONE POLICY: Cell phone use and texting is prohibited while working on a Local 19 call. Only Job Stewards and Union Officers are permitted to use their cell phones.
9) SLEEPING: There is to be no sleeping on the job. Violation of this policy may be grounds for dismissal from the job.
10) SMOKING: There is to be NO SMOKING in any building, in any truck, or on any stage at any time, inside or outside. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on breaks or with firsthand permission of the Job Steward. A resolution was passed by the Union Body that prohibits smoking on all calls, except during authorized breaks. Any person caught smoking will be sent home by the Job Steward and be subject of a fine of $25.
11) DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: Local 19 is committed to a safe work environment. If it is evident that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol you will be dismissed from the job by the Job Steward and/or the employer, and you are subject to fines and/or discipline as per the Local # 19 Constitution and By Laws.
SUGGESTED TOOL PACKAGE: The following lists have been compiled by Local 19 with the cooperation and participation of our signatory employers. The tools listed below are required to do the work at the professional level dictated by Local 19's negotiated wage scales. You should not only carry these tools, but they should be in good working order and you should know how to use them.
REQUIRED TOOLS
Tool Belt - For tools and basic hardware you will need on the job - No Fanny Packs
Tool bags do not qualify as tool belt
Tape Measure - 25 foot minimum
Straight Claw Hammer - 16 oz.
Screw Drivers - #2 Phillips and Flat Head a 4 in 1 is ok
Crescent Wrench - 8 in.
Dog Bone/Speed Wrench 5/8” & 3/4 ” and 1/2” & 9/16”
Ratchet Wrench - 3/8 “ drive, 7/16", 1/2", 9/16" deep sockets
Channel Locks - 10"
Pliers - Slip Joint, 2 position
Diagonal cutters/Dikes
Knife - big enough to cut sash cord, small enough to carry with you at all times
Flashlight - Small and Powerful
Safety Glasses
Gloves
Pen and Pencil
Black Sharpie
THESE TOOLS MUST BE BROUGHT WITH YOU TO EVERY CALL REGARDLESS OF DEPARTMENT ASSIGNED
AUDIO VISUAL JOBS
IN ADDITION TO REQUIRED TOOL LIST
Leatherman or other multi-purpose tool
USB Flash Drive
Jewelers Screw drivers - (phillips and flat)
Needle Nose Pliers
Circuit Tester- Edison Plug with 3 glowing L.E.D.’s
Board Tape or Masking tape
Electrical Tape
Pen and small Pad of Paper
WHAT TO BRING TO WORK AS AN E-1 OR HEAD ELECTRICIAN
IN ADDITION TO REQUIRED TOOL LIST
True RMS voltage meter
Amp probe
Tick trace
AC circuit tester- Edison with 3 L.E.D.’s
DMX-ter
USB Flash Drive
Large and small cable cutters
Wire Strippers
5/16”, 3/8”, & 1/2" Allen keys
Lineman pliers
Electrical tape
Lock-out and Pad lock
CONSTRUCTION SHOPS:
Tool Belt - For tools and basic hardware you will need on the job - No Fanny Packs
Tape Measure - 25 foot minimum
Straight Claw Hammer - 16 oz.
Nail Sets
Center Punch
Screw Drivers - a 4 in 1 is ok
Battery Operated Screw Gun - 9.6 volt minimum
Combination Square or Speed Square, and Framing Square
Crescent Wrench - 8 in. And 10 in.
Ratchet Wrench - 3/8 “ drive, 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16" deep sockets (complete set preferred)
Channel Locks - 10"
Pliers - Slip Joint, 2 position
Wire Cutters - end cutters and diagonal cutters
Pocket Knife - big enough to cut sash cord, small enough to carry with you at all times
Utility Knife and blades
Chalk Line, Dry Line, line level
Flashlight - Small and Powerful
Carpenter’s compass, bevel gauge, angle dividers
Safety Glasses
Ear protection
Gloves
Pen and Pencil
Black Sharpie
RIGGING TOOLS
*Rope ½” – 5/8” (Length per Venue) Hotels, Pier Six – 40 ft., MW- 50 ft Arena, Hippodrome and Lyric – 110 ft.
*Full Body Harness – Rated (Ansi Z395.1)
*Shock Absorber
*Lanyard / “Y” Lanyard
*Auto Lock Steel Carabiners (minimum 2)
*Multi Loop 5ft
30ft Steel Tape Measure
Crescent Wrench 8” (wide mouth, must open to 1 1/8”)
This Handbook is the property of IATSE Local 19, Baltimore. It may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed without the express written permission of Baltimore Local 19.