Code of Excellence - An IBEW Program of Job Responsibility

 

What is the Code of Excellence?

 

A program for the construction industry which promotes:

• Highest quality of work

• Highest quantity of work

• Use of best skills by our members

• Use of best work practices by all

 

Why a Code of Excellence?

 

• Elimination of problems on IBEW jobs

• Improved perception of IBEW by customers

• Enhanced competitiveness

 

Goals of the Code of Excellence

 

• A job built on time and under budget

• Continuation of a sense of Pride in Craftsmanship by our members

• Strong recommendations by customers using our work

 

Necessary Requirements

 

• Total support by union officers and Business Manager

• Strong local union membership support

• Commitment by both Labor and Management to work together for the success of the customer’s project

 

Implementation

 

• The “Code of Excellence”
  can be accomplished through teamwork on the job, and projecting a good
  attitude about the work we do on and off the job

• The “Code of Excellence”
  must have the total support of the local union at all levels, and the
  officers of the local union must pay particular attention to this task
  by setting an example for others to follow, as well as promotion of the
  “Code of Excellence”

 

IBEW Local Union Responsibilities

 

• The Business Office shall
  have the full responsibility for communicating the Code of Excellence
  to all members, and insuring all members are meeting fully their
  responsibility to our Code of Excellence

• All members are adhering to the contractual starting and quitting times

• The Business Representative, empowered by the Business Manager, will
  work with members to correct and solve problems related to job
  performance

• The local union must provide specialized training for Labor Representatives to promote the Code of Excellence

• The Business
  Representative will communicate on a regular basis with the Management
  Team to assess job progress, work schedules, and work process problems
  to the members

• The Business Manager,
  through and in partnership with the Business Rep, shall insure the
  following responsibilities of the IBEW local union in implementing the
  Code of Excellence are being met every day, and by every member

• Members will meet their responsibility in taking care of the tools provided by the employer

• Members will meet their responsibility to be fit for duty and our zero tolerance policy for substance abuse is strictly met

• Members are productive and idle time is kept to a minimum

• Members meet their
  responsibility to the employer and fellow members employed on the job
  to arrive for work on time and ready to work

• Members will meet their contractual responsibility to eliminate disruptions on the job

• Members will respect the property of the customer, and graffiti and other forms of destruction and waste will not be tolerated

• Members will respect the
  customer, client, contractor, and the IBEW by not wearing clothing or
  buttons that have offensive wording or symbols

• The Labor – Management
  team assigned to the job will work with any members who have bad work
  habits, setting a standard of quality and productivity second to none,
  to which each member on the job will comply effectively working as a
  team

• Members will
  carry the necessary and proper tools to meet their contractual
  responsibility as highly skilled, qualified craftsmen

• Slowdowns and other methods utilized to extend jobs or provide for overtime will not be tolerated

• Outside activities that cast the Brotherhood or the local union in a bad light will not be tolerated

• Any inappropriate behavior toward another member or group of members will not be tolerated

• Members will meet their contractual responsibility to utilize proper safety equipment and methods

• Members must meet their responsibility to not leave the jobsite without proper approval

• No unauthorized use of personal cell phones will be allowed on the project, except for lunch or break periods

• No sale of merchandise without the prior approval of the Business Manager

• Monthly meetings will be
  established between the Business Manager or his representative to
  discuss and resolve issues related to the compliance of the Code of Excellence - if applicable, management will be invited to attend and participate in the process

• In the event an
  individual member is not meeting membership responsibilities, the local
  union Executive Board shall have the responsibility to address these
  problems - the role of the local union is to correct the problem, by
  whatever means are at its disposal

• The Business Office and Management will endeavor to correct problems with individual members on the jobsite.

• If the member is
  unwilling or unable to make the necessary changes, Management must make
  the decision whether that employee/member is detrimental to the goals
  of the Code of Excellence, and should remain employed

 

 

 

DISPATCH NOTICE

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Please read this letter before accepting your referral from Local 25.
You will be expected to live up to the terms of our agreement and
respect all safety procedures. This is a high profile project for this
Local Union. Many hours have been put into building a good working
relationship with the customer.

 

Job Conditions:

1. 7:00 a.m. at the gang box start

2. 30 minute lunch break

3. 3:20 p.m. clean up

4. 3:30 p.m. leave job site

 

The Business Office will enforce all of the above conditions along with the Foreman on the job site.

 

Employer Responsibilities

All signatory employers with Local 25, IBEW, have a responsibility to
manage their jobs effectively, and as such, have the following
responsibilities under the “Code of Excellence.”

 

• To address ineffective superintendents, general foremen and foremen

• To insure proper job layout, to minimize down time

• To insure proper storage for contractor and employee tools

• To insure that there are
  adequate numbers of employees to perform the work efficiently, and
  conversely, to limit the number of employees to the work at hand, which
  demonstrates to the customer the efficiency of our partnership

• To provide the necessary leadership and training skills for jobsite leaders to eliminate problems

• To insure that proper types and quantities of materials are available to insure job progress

• To insure that jobsite leaders take the necessary responsibility for mistakes created by management decisions

• To eliminate unsafe work conditions and insure that proper safety training, equipment, and methods are utilized

 

Methods of resolving problems through the “Code of Excellence”

It is understood that both the IBEW local union and the signatory
contractor have obligations and responsibilities under the “Code of
Excellence.” The local union’s role is to assist management with
individual problems with its members, to insure that the local union’s
obligation to provide honest and diligent service to the employer is
maintained and improved. However, the ultimate responsibility of
managing the job falls squarely on the shoulders of Contractor
Management.

 

• If an issue is not
  resolved, the local union or contractor may call for a contractually
  established Labor-Management meeting to resolve concerns or issues

• The local union may elicit customer support to address the problem

• Weekly job progress “toolbox” meetings should be held to assess the production and job target dates

 

Summary

 

• The “Code of Excellence”
  is an internal IBEW local union program to enhance the performance and
  reputation of IBEW members and Signatory contractors

• The “Code of Excellence” has external linkages with contractors and customers

• The local union’s role is
  to use the Code of Excellence to enforce member responsibilities to the
  IBEW local union and its employing contractor

• The member’s role is to use best skills and practices to perform work that is on time and under budget

• Business Rep is empowered by the Business Manager to work with problem members

• Business Rep communicates regularly with management concerning job progress and problems

• Employer will work with the Business Office to eliminate jobsite problems immediately and effectively

• Employer will eliminate blame of IBEW for job management problems by its supervisors

• Goal of program is for both Labor and Management to provide Customer satisfaction

 

The IBEW Advantage

 

• International standardized training programs for journeymen and apprentices

• Standards testing to certify qualifications in all facets of the industry

• Career oriented employees with a strong work ethic and commitment to our industry

• Registered upgrade classes to provide cutting edge technology and programs to meet 21st century construction needs

• Safety conscious employees help reduce workers compensation exposure

• Local area skilled “manpower pool”

• Mobile workforce for larger specialized projects

• No strike! No lockout! No problems-guaranteed by contract

• 74 years of proven performance –“we back up what we build”

 

Results of this Program

 

• The “Code of Excellence” will instill in our membership pride in their craftsmanship, speed and attention to safety

• Upon completion of the
  job, the lasting impression of the customer will be the quality and
  efficiency of the workmanship as well as the attention to schedule
  demands

• These attributes will remain with the customer, prompting him to utilize the IBEW again