Effective June 4, 2022
The purpose of these procedures and rules are to protect the jurisdiction of IATSE Local 99, to provide professional qualified skilled technicians for all crafts on a non-discriminatory basis, to establish harmonious relations between members of the bargaining unit and employers, to increase the stability of the industry, to promote safe working conditions and job security, and to improve wages.
These Job Referral Procedures and Rules govern all persons who are eligible for referral by Local 99. Referrals shall be based on the Work Referral Lists and application of these rules. Work shall be dispatched equitably and uniformly in accordance with these rules and an individual’s placement on those lists regardless of Union membership and non-membership. The Local may, at its sole discretion, create additional referral lists if the need arises.
Contents
SECTION 1. Registration for Referral
SECTION 2. Work Assessment Fee
SECTION 3. Failure to Pay Work Assessment Fee
SECTION 7. Maintaining Dispatch Eligibility
SECTION 10. Infractions Policy
SECTION 11. Failure to Pay Fines
SECTION 13. Investigation Of Violations Of Working Rules
SECTION 14. Changes To Procedures And Working Rules
SECTION 1. Registration for Referral
Applications are accepted at Local 99’s office, and on the website. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and apply in person. When an applicant submits their application, they will receive an assignment to attend a mandatory New Referral Orientation Class (“Bootcamp”). In addition to completing this Orientation Class, a new applicant must (1) be referred to work, (2) accept work, and (3) work an entire work call within ninety (90) days of submitting their application. If a new applicant for referral has not worked within this timeframe, their application will lapse, and they must submit another application to be considered for referral.
All persons seeking work must keep the Referral Hall informed of all telephone numbers, email addresses, and
mailing addresses by notifying the Referral Hall’s office during normal business hours at 801-359-0513 or via email at front.office@ialocal99.org.
Any new applicant for referral who, within ninety (90) days of their date of hire or submitting their application, whichever is most recent, fails to report to any work call that they have accepted, and who does not replace themselves in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 10B, Replacement Prior to the Start of the Call… shall be removed from the Referral Hall lists.
SECTION 2. Work Assessment Fee
All persons eligible to be referred by the Referral Hall for employment must sign a Referral Agreement with Local 99. The Referral Agreement provides for payment of a reasonable work assessment fee, established by Local 99 to cover the Local’s cost of administering the referral system. Local 99 has the right to set and change the amount of the work assessment fee. All such changes will be posted at Local 99’s office. No individual shall become delinquent in their payment of this work assessment fee to IATSE Local 99. Cash is not an accepted payment method for work assessment fees.
SECTION 3. Failure to Pay Work Assessment Fee
No individual shall become delinquent in their payment of the prescribed work assessment fee to Local 99. Any individual who fails to pay the work assessment fee shall be notified of their delinquency by the Financial Secretary-Treasurer and given sixty (60) calendar days to cure their delinquency. The written notice shall specify the amount of the delinquency, how it was incurred, and state the date by which it must be paid in order for the worker to avoid removal from the Work Referral list.
Any individual who is delinquent on their work assessment fee payments for more than sixty (60) calendar days shall be denied referral by the Dispatchers and removed from the Referral Work List until delinquent work assessment fees are paid in full. Once payment is complete, the individual must submit written request to the Union to be reinstated to the Referral Hall list to be eligible for further referral.
SECTION 4. Referral Lists
A. The Union shall maintain referral lists of experienced individuals based on seniority.
Individuals shall be dispatched based upon:
- Availability
- Ability to perform the services requested
- Seniority
Local 99 reserves the right to dispatch certain individuals, out of seniority order, based upon:
- The necessity to refer more highly qualified referrals based on technical competence and/or safety considerations.
- The need to rapidly and efficiently fill “short notice,” “emergency work requests,” or “replacements,” which prevent the referral hall from dispatching a call in normal seniority order.
- Any person holding a regular house position may be dispatched out of seniority order to exercise their right to that position.
- Specific requests from employers, when appropriate.
B. SENIORITY. The position an individual is placed on a Referral List is referred to as ‘seniority’.”
Beginning October 1, 2019, individuals who have the same first day of hire and the same call time, shall have their relative positions on the list determined by a one-time lottery.
All challenges to an individual’s placement on a referral list must be made in writing to Local 99.
C. REFERRAL LISTS. There shall be two Referral Lists; the Stage List and the Tradeshow List.
Stage Referral List. The Stage Referral List shall be comprised of the following:
A-List – This list shall be comprised of individuals who have:
1) Completed 500 hours of work in the stagecraft industry under Local 99 administered contracts and
2) Completed the required Local 99 Education Program and
3) Completed all necessary requirements to be eligible for referral, or
4) Have been previously certified by the JATC or have been on the A List at the time of implementation of this document.
All individuals placed on this list after the implementation of this document shall have their A-List seniority date recorded as the date they were placed on the A-List by the Seniority Committee. In the event of a tie, the tie shall be broken by the date an individual is referred for work from the C-List and completes a job.
C-List – Individuals who have not qualified for the A-List but have completed all necessary requirements to be eligible for referral.
C-List Seniority shall be determined by the first day an individual is referred for work and completes a job.
Tradeshow Referral List. The Trade Referral List shall be comprised of the following:
A-List – Certified by the Joint Certification and Training Committee (JCTC) as a Journeyman and have completed all necessary requirements to be eligible for referral.
Helper – Have at least 250 hours of work in the tradeshow industry under Local 99 administered contracts and complete all necessary requirements to be eligible for referral.
Trainee – Have less 250 hours of work in the tradeshow industry under Local 99 administered contracts and complete all necessary requirements to be eligible for referral.
D. PERIODIC REVIEW. The referral lists will be periodically reviewed by the Seniority Committee for accuracy and will include the removal of individuals who have permanently retired or who have failed to meet the obligations to maintain referral eligibility. The Local will also review the preceding year’s referral list
annually between January 1-31 to ensuring it accurately reflects individuals who have satisfied the shift requirements listed in Section 6, Maintaining Dispatch Eligibility.
E. PAY CLASSIFICATIONS. The information below discusses which pay rate workers are eligible for based on their qualifications, Local 99 referral hall rules, and requirements in Local 99 collective bargaining agreements.
Individuals who are eligible for the Tradeshow “Journeyman” Rate have met all the requirements to be on the Trade “A List.”
Individuals who are eligible for the Stagecraft “Journeyman” Rate have met all the requirements to be on the Stage “A List.”
F. SKILL SETS
i. Wardrobe Skill Sets
Wardrobe skills are designated by a star system and overseen by the Wardrobe Board of Examiners (WBE). Any individual who submits the proper documentation and meets the necessary requirements for an additional star shall not be unreasonably denied. The stars correlate to specific skills and requirements:
| STARS | SKILLS | REQUIREMENTS |
| ONE STAR | Relevant work history and training. | – Submit Wardrobe Application (in addition to Referral Hall Application if necessary) along with any relevant resumes, portfolios, or references. – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
| TWO STARS | – Attend Wardrobe 101 Class. (Given no more than once per quarter.) | – Work no less than 20 combined calls in wardrobe OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a costume production shop. – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a two-star level. – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
| THREE STARS | – What items to carry on you continuously during a performance – Follow basic cues, stage instructions, and read running notes | – Submit a written request to the WBE to be promoted to the three-star level. – Demonstrate the required skills to the WBE or one of its representatives. – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
| FOUR STARS | – Work an additional, no less than 20 combined calls in wardrobe OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a costume or hair/make-up production shop. – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a four-star level. – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
ii Wardrobe Dressing Star Skill Sets
Wardrobe Dressing skills are designated by a star system and overseen by the Wardrobe Board of Examiners (WBE). Any individual who submits the proper documentation and meets the necessary requirements for an additional star shall not be unreasonably be denied. The stars correlate to specific skills and requirements:
| STARS | SKILLS | REQUIREMENTS |
| ONE STAR | Relevant work history and training. | – Submit Wardrobe Application (in addition to Referral Hall Application if necessary) along with any relevant resumes, portfolios, or references. – Carry a tool kit on all calls. (Tool kit details below) – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
| TWO STARS | – Basic sewing skills. – Basic Steaming skills (assemble of steamer, steaming position of steamer head). – Basic Ironing skills & knowledge of ironing tools. – Can build a rack. – Know stage terms (All skills mentioned are taught in Wardrobe Class 101) | – Attend Wardrobe 101 Class (Given no more than once bi-quarterly). – Carry a tool kit on all calls. (Tool kit details below) – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
| THREE STARS | – Know dressing room etiquette. – Know dressing terms (quick rig, puddle a dress, drop cloth) – Quick change skills (order of presets on a chair, in a basket, on deck). – Know how to check for repairs. – How to properly hang costumes on appropriate hangers | – Work no less than 20 combined calls in wardrobe dressing, OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a costume OR production shop. – Must attend Laundry class 101 – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a three star level. – Carry a tool kit on all calls. (Tool kit details below) – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
| FOUR STARS | Have a full understanding of the nuances of dressing in various art forms: – Ballet Dressing calls (Know how to dress one in a tutu, leotard vs tights vs unitard, vest vs tunic). – Broadway Dressing calls (exposed to period dress with period dress terms , ascot vs cravat, fedora vs bowler vs fez). – Opera Dressing Calls (Room etiquette with singers will be very different, period dress). – Arena Dressing Calls (Concerts, Ice Shows, Circus shows). | – Work no less than 20 combined calls in wardrobe dressing, OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a costume OR production shop. – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a four star level. – Carry a tool kit on all calls. (Tool kit details below) – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
ii Hair/Make-up Star Skill Sets
Hair/Makeup skills are designated by a star system and overseen by the Wardrobe Board of Examiners (WBE). Any individual who submits the proper documentation and meets the necessary requirements for an additional star shall not unreasonably be denied. The stars correlate to specific skills and requirements:
| STARS | SKILLS | REQUIREMENTS |
| ONE STAR | Relevant work history and training. | – Submit Wardrobe Application (in addition to Referral Hall Application if necessary) along with any relevant resumes, portfolios, or references. – Stay up to date on financial obligations to the Referral Hall. |
| TWO STARS | Relevant work history and training. | – Attend Wardrobe 101 Class (Given no more than once bi-quarterly). – Work no less than 20 combined calls in Hair/Make-up, OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a hair/make-up production shop. – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a two star level. – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
| THREE STARS | Must be able to demonstrate how to: · Block a wig · Wash a wig both on and off a wig block · Comb out a wet wig · Set a wig and follow a continuity setting pattern · Use a wig dryer and set controls · Identify what will ruin a synthetic wig · Clean wig lace · Pin curl and prepare a performer’s hair for wig cap and wig placement · Properly place and secure a wig on a performer’s head · Use spirit gum to secure wig lace on a performer and then remove spirit gum · Use spirit gum to secure facial hair on a performer and then remove spirit gum · Handle, clean and style facial hair · Perform a basic comb out and know styling techniques to maintain wig style · Secure hair accessories/hats to styled wigs · What to do in a wig quick change · What to carry on you in a quick-change hair kit for various circumstances | – Submit written request to the WBE to be promoted to a three star level. – Demonstrate the required skills to the WBE or one of its representatives. – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
| FOUR STARS | · Be able to repair wigs and facial hair. · Ability to ventilate hair into a wig or facial hair piece. · Marcel iron and hot stove competency for facial hair styling | – Work an additional, no less than 20 combined calls in hair/make-up, OR approximately four 40-hour weeks in a hair/make-up production shop. – Submit documentation of required work calls/production shop work and written request to the WBE to be promoted to a four star level. – Stay up to date on financial assessments to the Referral Hall. |
ii. SMG/ASM Skill Sets
a. To be eligible to receive the “SMG Operations Grip” skill, you must be an individual with 250 or more employer specific hours and have demonstrated competency in the following:
- Stage building
- Chair riser building
- Floor layout and marking
Competency is determined by demonstrating 30 hours each in the above categories and passing the SMG Standard Skills Test, if available.
b. To be eligible to receive the “SMG Helper” skill, you must be an individual with 126-250 employer specific hours.
c. All individuals with less than 125 employer specific hours and have expressed an interest in working for SMG in writing to the Local are eligible to receive the “SMG Trainee” skill.
d. To be eligible to receive the “SMG Operations Grip” skill, “SMG Trainee” skill and/or “SMG Helper” skill, you must meet the hours worked and/or testing requirements in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. To request a copy of this agreement, contact the Front Office at front.office@ialocal99.org or via phone during normal business hours at 801-359-0513.
SECTION 5. Referral Procedure
A. Calls will be sent out by the Dispatchers via text message, Short Message Service (SMS), or telephone. Once an individual is notified of a potential call, they will have three (3) hours to accept or reject the call on Call Steward. If no response is received within three (3) hours, it will be considered a “Timed Out” rejection of the call. The individual listed is the only person that may accept a call.
Any individual, after accepting a call, that wishes to replace themselves, may do so by following the procedure found in Section 10B, Replacement Prior to the Start of the Call.
In the event a call is not filled by noon on the day before the call is contractually required to be filled, the call will be deemed to be a “short notice” call and the Referral Hall will have complete discretion to fill the call based on availability and ability.
SECTION 6. Quick Call List
Individuals may add their name to the same day “Quick Call” list by using the “Quick Call List” link on the IATSE Local 99 website. Registration time for the Quick Call list is daily from 6:00AM – 3:00PM.
The principal of seniority will be observed to the extent practicable for individuals on the “Quick Call List” in accordance with the needs of the call.
SECTION 7. Maintaining Dispatch Eligibility
A. Shifts Per Calendar Year: To maintain an individual’s ability to be dispatched, the individual must have worked a minimum of one (1) shift (“call”) each calendar year. A review of all individual’s shifts shall be performed by the Seniority Committee each quarter. Failure to maintain the minimum number of shifts per year shall result in removal from the Referral Lists. Individuals who are on an approved leave of absence are not subject to this minimum call requirement while on leave. See Section 7, Leaves of Absence.
All work referred through the Referral Hall shall be counted toward this shift requirement. Additionally, work performed for signatory employers that have no Referral Hall provision in their collective bargaining agreements shall count as qualifying shifts.
Further, work performed by any individual traveling under a Pink Contract and who timely pays their work assessment shall count towards this shift requirement.
For individuals reporting traveling under pink contracts, work assessments must be received by the Financial Secretary no more than sixty (60) days from the earliest shift, and within the year for which shifts are being reported.
Additionally, individuals who work through the Local 99 Referral Hall and perform work on a motion picture or television production, including commercials, covered by a Local 99 administered IATSE agreement, will not have their Referral Hall seniority negatively affected during the time they are performing such work, provided they timely notify the Local 99 Office of such work and pay the appropriate work assessment, such work shall count towards this shift requirement.
Any Union officer or official employed by the Local that has served the Local for six (6) months or more during a calendar year shall not be dropped from their position on the List that they held at the time that they took office. Any individual who does not maintain their ability to be dispatched per this Section, shall be notified, and removed from the active Referral Hall list(s).
B. Consecutive “Timed Out” of Work
Any individual who “Timed Out”three consecutive offers of work shall be removed from the eligible dispatch list(s) immediately and notified of same.
C. Reinstatement of Worker/Seniority Adjustment
Any individual who has lost dispatch eligibility and wishes to be returned to the active Referral Hall list must notify the Local in writing. Upon return, they will have their seniority adjusted based on the length of the break in service, if applicable.
After the initial quarter of break in service, every consecutive quarter break in service shall result in the individual moving down their respective list(s) one position.
An individual who has had their seniority adjusted will never move off their respective list as a result. For example, if a person on the A-List is inactive for so long that they are moved to the last position on the A-List, they will not drop off that list.
SECTION 8. Leaves of Absence
A Leave of Absence shall be granted for good cause upon written request and will not be unreasonably withheld. Leaves of absence shall not be granted for work outside of Local 99s contractual jurisdiction and/or for circumventing the procedures of the referral system.
A Leave of Absence for military service shall be granted in accordance with applicable law.
Requirements in Section 3, Referral Lists, Section 4, Referral Procedures and Section 8, Failure to Pay Work Assessment Fee are waived during Leaves of Absence. If any type of Leave of Absence continues to a new Counting Year, you are required to request a new leave of absence from the Executive Board, by August 1st of the new Counting Year.
i. Medical Leave of Absence
All requests for a Medical Leave of Absence must be made in writing within fourteen (14) days of injury or illness or as soon as reasonable.
A “Medical Leave of Absence” shall be defined as any period three (3) days or longer for which a person has been unable to work due to a medically verifiable injury, illness, or hospitalization. An application for a Medical Leave of Absence must be accompanied by a Doctor’s note.
When an individual returns to work from a Medical Leave of Absence, that individual will need a Doctor’s note permitting their return to work without restrictions.
SECTION 9. Job Stewards
Local 99 will, train, and certify Job Stewards at its sole discretion. Local 99 will appoint Job Stewards pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Certified Job Stewards must make every effort to be available for assignments at all times. Job Stewards must communicate unavailability for work to the Business Agent.
SECTION 10. Infractions Policy
A. Failure to Report: No individual shall fail to report for work. Any individual who violates this rule shall be notified by the Local and charged $25.00 for the first offense in a twelve month period, $50.00 for the second offense in a twelve month period, and $150.00 for the third offense in a twelve month period.
Individuals violating this rule more than three (3) times in a twelve-month period will be suspended from the Referral Hall list and will be ineligible to be dispatched for thirty (30) days, for the fourth offense in a twelve-month period, sixty (60) days for the fifth offense in a twelve-month period, and one (1) year for sixth offense in a twelve month period.
B. Replacement Prior to the Start of the Call: Any individual, wishing to replace themselves prior to the start of a call, may do so, with no penalty, by calling the dispatch office at least four hours prior to the start of the call. Contact the dispatch office by calling the main office line, (801) 359-0513 and pressing 1. If there is no answer, a voice message is required including the name of the individual and the call in which they wish to be replaced.
Individuals violating this rule more than four (4) times in a twelve-month period, will be suspended from the Referral Hall list and will be ineligible to be dispatched for thirty (30) days for the fifth offense in a twelve month period, sixty (60) days for the sixth offense in a twelve month period, and one (1) year for the seventh offense in a twelve month period.
Any individual who fails to pay any incurred fines within fifteen (15) days of receiving notification shall be denied further referral until such payment is received in full. Any individual who has been suspended from the Referral Hall list and is ineligible to be dispatched may continue to seek work through the Referral Hall by way of the “Standby” list at individual calls
C. Lateness: Once an individual has accepted a call, they are required to report for work at the scheduled report time or they will be considered late and will be fined $5.00 for the first offense, $10.00 for the second offense, $25.00 for the third offense, $50.00 for the fourth offense, $75.00 for the fifth offense, $100.00 for the sixth offense, and will be ineligible to be dispatched for thirty (30) days for the seventh offense in a twelve month period, sixty (60) days for the eighth offense in a twelve month period, and one (1) year for the ninth offense in a twelve month period. Individuals who are late may also be denied employment by the employer on that call.
D. Bailing off a Call before load-out: Any individual who bails off a call between the load-in & load-out will be considered as unavailable for work on the day(s) of that load-out.
E. Gross Work-Related Misconduct: Any individual who is found to have engaged in gross work-related misconduct and has been the subject of a written ‘do not dispatch’ request by an employer because of said misconduct, will not be eligible for dispatch.
F. Interference with the Administration of the Local or the Referral Hall: Any individual who creates a disturbance or engages in disorderly, abusive or threatening conduct, or who intentionally interferes with or disrupts the administration of Local 99 or the Referral Hall will be subject, at the discretion of the Business Agent, to a suspension from the Referral Hall list. If an individual is suspended from the Referral Hall list, they may appeal their suspension per Section 12, Referral Appeal.
G. Conviction of Serious Violent Crimes:
Any individual who has been convicted of any serious violent crime while registered for referral will be immediately removed from the Referral Hall list.
H. Conduct that Damages the Integrity of the Referral Office Or Interferes With The Operation Or Administration Of The Referral Hall Or Referral Procedure: Any individual that is found to have engaged in work related conduct that may reflect in a detrimental way on the Referral Hall or interferes with the operation and/or administration of the Referral Hall or these referral procedures that is not specifically mentioned in these Rules and Procedures, will be punished appropriately by fine, suspension, or expulsion from the Referral Hall.
I. Non-Referral: Any individual receiving three (3) letters of non-referral (a.k.a. “Do-Not-Dispatch”) from employers within the contractual jurisdiction of Local 99 for just cause, shall be deemed a chronic offender and non-referable through the Local 99 Referral Hall and shall not be eligible for standby.
SECTION 11. Failure to Pay Fines
Any individual who fails to pay a fine incurred pursuant to this document, within fifteen (15) days of receiving notification of same, shall be denied further referral until such payment is received in full.
SECTION 12. Appeals
Any individual who has been given written notice of a fine, suspension or removal from the Referral Hall lists or Referral Hall as provided for in these Rules may appeal to the Referral Hall in writing within ten (10) working days of the date of such notice. The appeal must state all the reasons why they believe they should not be suspended or removed from the referral list and must list all witnesses and attach all supporting documents, if any.
SECTION 13. Investigation Of Violations Of Working Rules
A. Investigation of Violations by Business Agent: The Business Agent or designated representative shall investigate the alleged violation and determine whether it occurred, not why it occurred. The Business Agent’s or designated representative’s determination shall be final and binding.
B. Dispatcher’s Record: The Dispatchers records shall be conclusive unless amended by the Business Agent or designated representative investigating an alleged violation of a Working Rule.
SECTION 14. Changes To Procedures And Working Rules
No changes in these rules and procedures may be made unless such proposed changes have been submitted in writing to the IATSE Local 99 Executive Board. Any changes will be mailed to the members in the General Membership Meeting notice, and then approved by the membership by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at that General Membership Meeting. Any changes so made shall be mailed to all persons currently registered as a referral. Such changes shall become effective thirty (30) days after they were approved by the membership.
SECTION 15. Definitions
Break in service – When an individual has not worked a minimum of one (1) shift (“call”) each quarter of the calendar year. See Section 6 Maintaining Dispatch Eligibility for more details.
Seniority Committee – Will be responsible for the periodic audit of shifts. The Executive Board will be responsible for overseeing all challenges to the list.
JCTC – An abbreviation for Joint Certification and Training Committee
Journeyman – a pay rate in certain collective bargaining agreements defined by time worked in the industry and/or passing of certain classes/tests. See individual collective bargaining agreements for specifics.
Member – Any individual who has completed all the following:
– met the membership requirements as defined in IATSE Local 99’s Constitution and By Laws
– submitted a completed membership application and paid all applicable fees
– had their membership application approved
– met their financial obligation
– been sworn into membership of IATSE Local 99
– is in good standing
Short Notice Call: Defined as a labor request from an employer received by the referral hall with less than 36 hours to report or if a call is not filled by noon on the day before the call is contractually required to be filled. The referral hall has complete discretion to select individuals for Short Notices but will to the extent practicable and in accordance with the needs of the call, follow seniority order.
Replacements: Defined as a person referred to replace an existing individual on a call. The Referral Hall has complete discretion to select individuals to be used as replacements but will make best efforts to follow seniority order.
Seniority – The position an individual is placed on a Referral List is referred to as ‘seniority’.”
Stage Craft: Work involved for the presentation of live performances or events.
Tradeshow / Exhibition – Work involved with the installation and dismantling of local, national, and international Conventions and Tradeshows.
WBE – Wardrobe Board of Examiners. The WBE is elected by vote of Union Members from the Wardrobe and Hair/Makeup skill lists.