Pertains to Transferring into Local 88

Q:  What do I need to do in order to transfer into SMW 88 from another SMW local

A: Must have a Nevada Drivers License (MUST have the hard copy in possesion)

    Must have Nevada State Vehicle Registration (withing Local 88 jurisdiction) 

    Must have Proof of Residency 

    Must have Transfer Card from home local (Your card is ONLY good for 30 days from the date it was issued)   

    Must be current on your dues from home local

    International Check on member status will be done (MUST have 5 years good standing with SMWIA) 

    Request for transfer is then reviewed by Business Manager

Q: If I transfer into SMW 88 will I have A-list Journeyman status?

A: No, you must have 1200 hours working in SMW 88 jurisdiction within the last two (2) years in order to gain A-list status AND you must meet the requirements noted above.

Q: Is Local 88 accepting travelers?

A: Local 88 welcomes travelers at all times.  However, there is no guarantee as to when a traveler will be dispatched for work

Q: What do I need to do in order to sign up as a traveler?

A: Appear in person at SMW 88

    Need to have a current dues card with you

    Must present your state drivers license

Q: How often do I need to sign the “AB-list” (travelers list)?

A: Each traveler is required to appear in person to sign his/her name on  the AB-list twice monthly, first between the 1-15th of each month, and second between the 16th and last working day of the month.

Q: What time can I sign the list?

A: The AB-list when generated on the 1st of each month and the 16th of each month will not be ready before 10AM.  Please make your travel plan accordingly.

Q: Can I call the SMW88 to check in on the AB-list and maintain my spot?

A: No you are required to appear in person to sign the list.  We have many travelers from “all” over the country who appear in person twice monthly to maintain their spots.

Q:  How do you call people out to work?

A: Before calling a traveler or member on the AB-list to work, we first clear through the A-list members offering them the job.  Once the A-list has been called through and it has been established that no one else on the A-list is available or willing to take the job, we then begin contacting members on the AB-list according to the “number” they are on the list.

Q:  How long do I have to respond to a job call out?

A: Often times we have very little notice of manning a job.  When applicable we will always leave a message notifying the individual that they have a certain amount of time to return our call.  If the call isn’t returned in the specified amount of time we will quickly move onto the next member on the list.

Q: What if I need travel time to get back into Las Vegas for a job call?

A: Any time a Business Agent from our Local calls you, please be very specific about your travel time needs and let them know where you’re coming from.  Again, job calls must be filled on a very short notice and your travel time maybe a deciding factor as to whether or not you can take that job call at the time.

Q: Can I show up for work without a dispatch sheet?
A: No

Q: Will I be drug tested?

A: Yes you will be drug tested upon each dispatch and depending on the job/contractor you may even be re-tested once you arrive to the job site.

Q: I am on prescription medication what should I tell the drug lab?

A: Be honest with the lab and bring your personal prescribed medication bottles with you.  You may even want to bring your doctors name and phone number for verification as well.

Q: Can my neighbor, spouse, son, daughter or anyone else I designate pick up my dispatch for me?

A: No absolutely not. 

Q: I can’t make it into the office by 4:45PM to pick up my dispatch, can SMW 88 leave my dispatch for me outside somewhere for me to pick up later?

A: No absolutely not.  In fact, upon dispatch you are required to complete a 401(k) enrollment form and additional instructions may be given to you verbally, and you may have questions that need answers too.

Q: When are my union dues suppose to be paid by?

A: Your union dues are to be paid in advance of each month beginning.  In other words, your January dues are to be paid by December 31, your February dues are to be paid by January 31st, your March dues are to be paid by February 28th, so on and so forth…

Q: What happens if my dues are paid on the 1st of the month?

A: Again your dues are to be paid in advance of the month beginning per the SMWIA Constitution.  If you pay your dues on the 1st of the month, or even later, your account will be assessed with late fees.

Q: I have late fees on my account, can I pay them later and get my dues paid for now?

A: No, all fees must be paid for before dues money will be accepted.

Q: What are my options for paying my dues?

A: You may pay in person with cash, check or money order

    You may mail in your dues payment of check or money order

    You may leave your check or money order in the night drop box

    You may sign up for dues debit

     NEVER LEAVE CASH IN THE NIGHT DROP BOX

Q: How do I pay my dues with my vacation account?

A: You can sign up for a dues debit (must be done in person) and have your dues paid monthly through your vacation account.  Contact the office for more information.

Q: When will my dues debit be taken from my account?

A: Because we do our best to wait for each contractor to pay their benefits, we cannot specify a certain day or date in the month as to when the debit will be done.  Generally speaking your dues debit will be posted no later than the last day of the month and your receipt will be mailed to you on the following business day.

As a general rule of thumb the dues debit is done about 4-5 days before the month ends.  However, if there’s a holiday at the end of the month that time frame may change.

Q: Will my dues debit be done before the end of the month?

A: Yes, absolutely. Your dues debit will be posted “by” the end of the month.  As long as you had money in your vacation account when the debit was done, your dues should be paid in full and your account will not be assessed with late fees.

Q: I don’t have any money in my vacation account, will my dues be paid?

A: No, if there is no money in your vacation account then your dues cannot be paid.  We will make every attempt to notify you that your dues were not paid; however, it is ultimately your responsibility to monitor your account and to check on your dues.

Q: Can I deposit money into my vacation account?

A: No. All deposits made into a members vacation account are contractor/employer deposits only.  You may not deposit any money into this account at any time.

Q: When will my money be deposited into my vacation account?

A: Contractors have until the 15th to submit their reports and benefits for the hours worked in the month prior.  For example, January hours are not expected into our office until on or before the 15th of February.  February hours are not expected into our office until on or before the 15th of March so on and so forth.  As you plan your finances a general rule of thumb would be not to expect to see your vacation hours deposited until at least 6 weeks “after” the month in question.

Q: What day of the week are deposits generally made into the vacation account?

A: Wire transfers from the Trust Fund to the Credit Union occur on Thursday “only.”  That is NOT to say that your deposit will be there Thursday.  The credit union needs to have time to post all deposits into each account.  Remember we have over 1400 members so this process can take up to several days. 

Q: What is the timeline for vacation account deposits?

 A: 1. Contractor submits report and payment into union hall by 15th of each month for the hours worked the month prior.

2. The union hall logs receipts of report from the contractor, noting the month in which the report is for, as well as the amount of the check and then overnights each report and payment to the Trust Fund on the day in which it was received.

3. The Trust Fund audits each report, posts the hours into each individuals members account, one-by-one.

4. On Thursday, the Trust Fund wire transfers money into the IBEW Plus Credit Union.

5. IBEW Plus Credit Union then manually posts the specified deposit amount into each individual members vacation account.

 A:        January hours are to be submitted by February 15th

            February hours are to be submitted by March 15th

            March hours are to be submitted by April 15th….

A: Remember the contactor cannot submit hours, reports and benefits until the month end has closed.  Then the contractor has about 10-working days to get that report and check to the union hall and Trust Fund.  That is why the process takes time and is also why we tell our members not expect to see any money in their vacation account until approximately 6-weeks after the month in question.