State of Illinois legislative changes have modified work rule jurisdictions and wage scale schedules in the Chicagoland area. There are seven major unions that have some jurisdiction in the Chicagoland area. The following guidelines will help you in preparing your exhibit to understand these jurisdictions.
WHAT AN EXHIBITOR CAN DO WITHOUT UNIONS IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA
Chicagoland work-rules modifications now enable exhibitors to perform several set-up tasks which in the past were under union jurisdiction. Each of these are itemized below, and must be completed by full-time employees of the exhibiting company.
- Exhibitors may set up and dismantle their own booth displays, as well as the various tasks outlined below, provided the work is being done by full time employees of the exhibiting company. No outside workers are permitted to provide set-up and dismantle services unless they are members of a Chicagoland Carpenter Union Local with valid trade show jurisdictions.
- Exhibitors may use hand tools and power tools to perform work within their booths.
- Exhibitors may affix clamp-on lights to the top of their booth displays.
- Exhibitors may calibrate and do repair work on internal circuit boards, and do interconnecting of peripheral computer equipment.
- Exhibitors may do the connection of lighting, video equipment and light bulbs to an electrical outlet when the outlet has been ordered by the exhibitor.
- Exhibitors may hang pictures, graphics, logos, etc. onto a backwall display when such items are designed to be affixed by pre-set velcro strips, permanently mounted hooks, or snaps.
- Exhibitors may hand carry small packages, pop-up displays and desktop computer equipment provided it can be done without the use of a fork-lift, flat cart or dolly, only from a designated parking area.
- Exhibitors may inflate balloons.
- Video taping may be done by exhibitors within the confines of their own booths using equipment owned or rented by the exhibiting company, provided such taping does not conflict with show management regulations, and does not require tools or ladders.
- Exhibitors may un-pack, re-pack and set out their own product line within the booth for display purposes.
CARPENTERS UNION
Carpenters handle the erection and dismantling of display and exhibit booths. This includes all display work with the exception of machinery, signs or lighted headers, unless the sign or header is a permanently attached part of the display. Carpenters also recrate machines for outbound loading. Millwrights, a division of the carpenters union, handle the assembly and the levelling of machinery, as well as the attachment of all guards and shields.
DECORATORS UNION
Decorators handle the installation of signs, drape background, table skirting, and all other items of decorative nature that must be done after a display background is erected
ELECTRICAL UNION
Electricians handle all electrical work, which includes supplying power lines to your booth, connecting equipment to the proper outlets,installing any signs or headers that are lighted, unless they are permanently attached to the exhibit backwall, and the running of cable within
the exhibitors booth.
MACHINERY MOVERS & RIGGERS UNION
Riggers handle all machinery. This includes the unloading of the machines from the trucks, moving the materials to your booth, and a onetime spotting of display ready equipment, which the exhibitor must supervise at the time of unloading. Riggers also remove skids and reskid
machines, uncrate machines, and respot machines in the booth if needed. This service must be ordered as needed, at exhibitor’s expense.
PLUMBERS UNION
Plumbers handle all plumbing work such as compressed air, water/drain, or natural gas.
TEAMSTERS UNION
Teamsters handle all freight inside the exhibit hall. They unload all trucks or vehicles, deliver the materials to your booth, and remove and reload materials at the close of the show.
THEATRICAL STAGEHANDS UNION
Stagehands assemble portable lighting and sound systems as well as picture screens 10’ x 14’ in size and larger. They also set stages, operate lighting and sound consoles, and hang lighting trusts and speaker systems.
