The union hall then posts these "job calls" to its membership. Qualified workers who have signed the out-of-work books can bid on or accept these calls based on their hiring hall ranking (Book 1, Book 2, etc.) and seniority. Common Positions Listed on IBEW 396 Job Calls:
If you are responding to a call or signing the books for the first time, you will need the following "useful paper": For Members: A current dues receipt. For Travelers: Travel Letter
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about the job call process, the specific work coming to Southern Nevada, and the administrative steps required to stay on the "Books" at Local 396.
Referrals are prioritized by "Groups" (I through IV), with Group I (typically local members with years of experience) receiving first priority for all incoming calls. Monthly Re-signing: You must renew your application every to remain on the list. Local 396 allows members to re-sign online through their portal. The Dispatch Process
Mick snorted. “You and every other third-year. Ray Kowalski doesn’t suffer fools. You ever pulled RF shielding cable before?”
You must register at the hiring hall to place your name on the out-of-work list. Travelers looking to sign Book 2 typically need an introductory letter (traveling card) from their home local business manager, along with their current dues receipt and a valid driver's license (often a Commercial Driver's License or CDL for outside line work). 2. Monitoring the Job Hotline
: To remain active on the list, members must re-sign between the 10th and 16th of each month. IBEW Local 396 Work Jurisdiction & Scope
Understanding IBEW Local 396 Job Calls: A Complete Guide for Linemen and Utility Workers
: Telephone infrastructure and fiber optic data lines. Key Employers Requesting Labor
: Access to current bargaining agreements for units like CenturyLink , NV Energy , and Outside Construction .
What specific you currently hold (CDL, OSHA ET&D, etc.)
Book 1 is the inner sanctum—local members in good standing. Book 2 is the traveling "permit" men, the journeymen who roam the country chasing the check. The order of these books creates a constant, low-frequency tension. When the job calls are plentiful, the gate is open, and the distinction matters little. But when the work slows, the protection of Book 1 becomes a fortress. The job call, in these moments, is not just a job; it is a validation of belonging. It is the local saying to its own: We take care of our own first.
The screen of Dave’s battered laptop glowed blue in the pre-dawn dark of his kitchen. Outside the window of his small apartment in Spokane Valley, the streetlights were still on, and the only sound was the hum of the refrigerator. He stared at the same webpage he’d refreshed twenty times since 4:30 AM:
| | Duration | Typical Shift | Per Diem Possible | |---|---|---|---| | A-Call (Long Call) | 90 days+ | 5-8s or 4-10s | Rare | | B-Call (Short Call) | <90 days (often 3-14 days) | Any | Sometimes | | C-Call (Night Call) | Project-specific | Graveyard | Yes (night differential) | | Standby Call | As-needed | On-call rotation | No |
Review the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to know your rights and obligations regarding work assignments.
Designed for traveling IBEW members (travelers) from other locals across the country. If Book 1 is exhausted, the job calls roll over to Book 2.