TO:                  All Applicants for Referral

FROM:            Jack A. Buckhorn, Business Manager

RE:                  Referral System–Dispatching Rules

DATE:             February 27, 2006

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

On March 24, 2005, IBEW International President Hill issued a directive to all local unions outlining new mandatory changes to the referral rules. In order to comply with these new requirements I revised our Referral System-Dispatching Rules last year. One area not covered by President Hill’s initial directive was the establishment of referral zones for locals with vast geographical jurisdictions. I included referral zones in our Referral System–Dispatching Rules because it does not make any sense that two individuals pass each other on the highway as each travels to the extreme ends of our jurisdiction to avoid being rolled off of the available-for-work list. President Hill has recently issued the following additional requirements for local unions that have established referral zones:

1.  Referral zones require the written approval of the International Vice President.

2.  Registrants must designate which referral zones that are available for at sign in. 

3.  Once a designation is made, it cannot be changed until the member's name is removed from the available-for-work list, the member registers as a new applicant and/or the members gets a new position.

4.  A person who has not designated all zones will have an opportunity to accept jobs outside of his/her designation after all other persons registered in a given zone have had the opportunity to accept jobs within their designated zones. 

I have also amended the Referral System–Dispatching Rules to insure that members who decide not to participate in the Drug-Free Workforce Program will not receive strikes for job calls requiring “active” participation in the Program.

 Please be advised that the Referral System-Dispatching Rules, as posted in the union hall and enclosed with this mailing, will become effective March 31, 2006.