Inside construction includes Journeyman Wiremen, apprentices, Construction Electricians, Construction Wiremen, and other classifications covered by the applicable inside agreement. Local 602 represents covered members, administers referral rules, supports enforcement of the agreement, and helps members resolve workplace and membership questions.
Understanding Local 602 and the IBEW
The IBEW Constitution establishes the Brotherhood’s structure and member obligations. Local 602 bylaws govern local offices, meetings, elections, member participation, and internal procedures. The applicable collective bargaining agreement governs covered work with signatory contractors, including classifications, compensation, benefits, hours, referral rules, jurisdiction, and grievance procedures.
Members strengthen the Local by staying informed, participating in meetings, supporting organizing, maintaining professional standards, and raising concerns through the proper union channel.
Representation and member rights
- Know the steward and Local representative assigned to your job or work area.
- Bring possible agreement violations, payroll questions, safety concerns, discipline, or assignment disputes to a steward or the hall promptly; contractual deadlines may apply.
- Request union representation when an investigatory interview could reasonably lead to discipline.
- Use the grievance and dispute procedures in the current agreement instead of attempting to resolve a contractual dispute through informal promises alone.
Review the NLRB’s Weingarten Rights guidance.
Referral and out-of-work procedures
- Inside construction referrals place qualified applicants with signatory contractors through the Local’s established out-of-work list and dispatch process.
- Referral books distinguish eligible Local members, travelers, and other applicants according to the current referral rules.
- Members on an out-of-work list must follow the current re-sign procedure and keep availability, contact, license, classification, and supporting records current.
- Job calls may include contractor, classification, licensing, credential, drug-testing, safety-training, duration, or reporting requirements. Review every call before expressing interest.
- Apprentices follow West Texas Electrical JATC instructions for class attendance, work assignments, reporting, and progression rather than the journeyman referral process.
Use the Local 602 Jobs page for current dispatch guidance and the authorized Working Systems Member Portal and LaborPower paths. Do not rely on an orientation summary for a current call or deadline.
Classifications, apprenticeship, and tools
Classification, eligibility, advancement, testing, supervision, and progression requirements vary by agreement and training program. Apprentices and construction classifications should follow current JATC and Local direction and should not assume that a milestone or prior classification automatically establishes eligibility for advancement.
Tool obligations also vary by agreement and division. Before reporting, confirm the current agreement’s employee tool list and the contractor’s responsibility for equipment, consumables, specialty tools, personal protective equipment, and safe storage. Do not purchase or bring tools based only on an older orientation list.
Benefits and retirement overview
Health coverage
Inside construction may include coverage through the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan for eligible participants. Eligibility, coverage, continuation, and claims are governed by current plan documents.
Retirement programs
Applicable programs may include the National Electrical Benefit Fund and the IBEW Seventh District Retirement Benefit Trust Fund. Participation, vesting, credits, distributions, and reciprocity are controlled by each plan.
Current information
Compensation and benefit contributions are governed by the applicable agreement. Obtain current information from Local 602, the current agreement, authorized member resources, and the plan administrator before making a financial or employment decision.
Safety and professional expectations
- Follow the employer’s safety program, the applicable agreement, OSHA requirements, site rules, and Local or JATC training.
- Stop work and notify the appropriate person when a condition presents an immediate safety concern.
- Report ready to work, follow lawful instructions, protect tools and materials, respect jurisdiction, and communicate problems through supervision and the steward.
- The IBEW Code of Excellence emphasizes safety, craftsmanship, productivity, accountability, respectful conduct, and value for signatory employers and customers.
Dues, good standing, and participation
Keep dues, assessments, membership records, and contact information current. Amounts and payment procedures can change, so use the hall, authorized member resources, or LaborPower for current information. Good standing may affect participation, referral status, and eligibility under governing documents and benefit plans.
Attend meetings when possible, review official notices, vote when eligible, welcome new members, and bring proposals or concerns through the processes established by the Constitution and bylaws.