Booth Labor, Freight, Electrical, Stagehands
In the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, the Decorators Union, Local 510, takes the lead on installation and dismantle labor in hotels and convention centers. But hold on tight because the guidelines here are no joke and are closely overseen by union stewards. Don’t even think about trying to bend the rules – it’s strictly enforced.
Keep in mind, Local #510 has a say in contractors’ hiring practices, ensuring a certain ratio of workers from their “A” list. So, playing by the rules is the name of the game.
Here are some key pointers:
- Exhibits that require hand tools, take more than 30 minutes to set up, or exceed ten feet in width need labor from IUPAT Local 510. You can hire this labor through your choice of an exhibitor-appointed contractor like Absolute I & D or through the general contractor.
- Full-time exhibitor personnel can handle laying out and assembling products they manufacture. However, anything else, from display boards to flooring, requires a union exhibit installer.
- When it comes to freight, Teamster Local 85 holds exclusive jurisdiction. They control dock access, and only teamsters can transport items from the edge of the show floor to the exhibit space. So, no sneaky business here.
- Hand-carrying materials into the exhibit facility is allowed if it’s manageable in one trip without wheels.
- Stagehands (IATSE Local 16) handle audio/visual equipment, while Electricians (IBEW Local 6) take care of electrical installation, including wiring beneath flooring.
Hours
Working Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Overtime: Applies outside of regular hours on weekdays and extends throughout Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Lunch: From 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
If a crew needs to return with less than 8 hours between shifts, you’re in overtime territory. Local 510 observes nine holidays, each at the overtime rate, including gems like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Caesar Chavez Day. Holidays usually land on Mondays and Fridays.
