Traveling as an IBEW Member

IBEW membership gives workers access to a North American network of union halls, referral systems, benefit funds, and skilled members. When work slows at home, traveling can help a member keep working without leaving the union system.

Start with the hall. Before you travel, contact IBEW Local 602 to confirm your dues status, classification, required documents, and any Local-specific instructions. Then contact the destination Local directly. Referral rules, book eligibility, dispatch times, required documents, and re-sign windows vary by Local.

Letter of Introduction / Travel Letter vs. Traveling Card

Simple rule: traveling for work usually requires a travel letter or Letter of Introduction. Transferring membership requires a Traveling Card and acceptance by the receiving Local.

When requesting a travel letter, be ready with your full name, card number, classification, destination Local, current contact information, and any job or project information you have.

Before You Travel

• Call IBEW Local 602 before leaving. Confirm dues status and ask what documents you need.
• Call the destination Local. Ask how to sign, what book you may sign, whether online sign-in is accepted, and what dispatch process applies.
• Carry proof of current dues and any required license, OSHA, CPR/First Aid, drug-test, background-check, or project credentials.
• Ask how jobs are posted and whether the Local uses a portal, LaborPower, Union Worx, phone job line, day book, email, fax, or in-person dispatch.
• Confirm scale, benefits, overtime, per diem, duration, report location, license requirements, and short-call rules before accepting a call.
• Ask about reciprocity and ERTS before working outside your home jurisdiction.

Signing the Books in Other Locals

Book rules are not universal. Some Locals require in-person sign-in. Some permit online sign-in. Some require a paid-up dues receipt, travel letter, termination slip, state license, or original paperwork before referral.

• Book 1: generally for members of that Local who meet the Local’s referral requirements.
• Book 2: generally for IBEW members traveling from other Locals.
• Book 3 / Book 4: may apply to other applicants depending on local referral rules.
• Re-sign: required by many Locals to keep your name active on the out-of-work list. Missing the window can remove you from the list.

Track every book you sign. If you take a long call elsewhere, notify the appropriate Locals and remove yourself from books as required by their rules.

Finding Work While Staying Union

1. Use official IBEW and Local Union sources first.
2. Use traveler resources only as leads and verify information with the hall.
3. Ask current members for field knowledge, then confirm through official channels.
4. Confirm the call before you roll. Work outlook, book numbers, licensing, and per diem can change quickly.

Traveling Into Local 602

Local 602 serves West Texas, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and parts of New Mexico. The hall uses online initial sign-in for Book 1 and Book 2, then Member Portal / LaborPower access after office processing.

• Initial Book 1 and Book 2 sign-in may be started online through the Local 602 jobs page.
• Members of other Local Unions should be ready to provide a current Letter of Introduction from their home Local.
• Local 602 dispatch is at 9:00 a.m. each weekday morning.
• Re-sign is required between the 10th and 16th of each month through the Member Portal or an approved alternate method listed in the dispatch rules.
• Available jobs are updated in the Member Portal / LaborPower app, and eligible registrants may bid through the portal/app after access is active.
• Kiosk sign-in is available at the Amarillo Main Office and Lubbock Satellite Office during business hours.

Office: 200 S. Fannin St., Amarillo, TX 79106 | Phone: (806) 376-9945

Protecting Your Benefits

When working outside your home jurisdiction, ask about reciprocity and ERTS. Keep copies of referrals, pay stubs, dispatch paperwork, and benefit statements.

• Ask whether the funds are reciprocal with your home funds.
• Confirm whether you need to register or update information in ERTS.
• Ask who to contact if contributions do not appear correctly.
• Ask whether the agreement could affect health coverage, pension, annuity, or eligibility.

Resources and Links

• IBEW Jobs BoardOfficial IBEW construction jobs board and project postings.
• IBEW Local Union DirectoryFind Local Union contact information before leaving home.
• IBEW MapReview IBEW districts and Local Union areas.
• Inside Jurisdictional MapsReview U.S. inside-construction jurisdictional maps by state.
• Pension & ReciprocityStart here when you need pension or reciprocity information.
• Where2BroUse as a traveler lead only; verify all details with the destination Local.
• GoHereBroUse as a traveler lead only; verify all details with the destination Local.
• I.B.E.W. Travelers NetworkPeer discussion can be useful, but official referral rules come from the Local Union hall.

Guía Rápida en Español

Si viaja para trabajar, manténgase dentro del sistema sindical. Llame a su Local antes de salir, confirme que sus cuotas estén al día y pida los documentos necesarios para registrarse en otro Local.

• Pregunte al Local de destino cómo firmar las listas, qué libro puede firmar y qué documentos exige.
• Lleve comprobante de cuotas, licencias, tarjetas de seguridad y cualquier requisito del proyecto.
• Reinscríbase entre el día 10 y el día 16 de cada mes por medio del Portal de Miembros o por otro método aprobado en las reglas de despacho.
• Después de que su acceso esté activo, revise trabajos disponibles y haga bid por medio del Portal de Miembros o LaborPower.
• Antes de aceptar un llamado, confirme escala, beneficios, horario, per diem, lugar de reporte y duración.
• Pregunte sobre reciprocidad y ERTS para proteger sus beneficios.