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UNION RULES
| The following rules apply to all exhibitors that are going to exhibit in a Venue in the Southern California area. They apply to all, regardless of the venue or the size of the show. These rules have been in effect for many years and are fairly standard throughout the convention industry. A copy of these rules are always included in each exhibitor kit that goes out to all exhibitors. So there should be no surprises when someone stops you at the freight door and explains that you can't bring in that 8 foot crate on a skateboard. And don't be surprised if someone stops you from erecting that 20'x 20' booth with your Skill Twist while using a folding chair as a ladder. Just read these few, simple rules and attempt to abide by them and you will see how easy it is to do business here in beautiful Southern California. |
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| The main unions that you will dealing with here in Southern California are the Teamsters Union, Local 986 (L.A. & Orange County) and the Decorators Union, Local 831. These Union members have been working hand-in-hand and side-by-side for many years. One thing that you should know up front is that Decorators do not do Teamster's work and Teamster's do not do Decorator's work. The exception may be if there is a desperate call for help from either union then we will all jump in to assist. After all, the goal is to have the show go off as smoothly and as successfully as possible. We will do whatever it takes to accomplish this task. But that is a very rare exception. Asking a Decorator to handle freight or asking a Teamster to do Decorator work for no reason other then to try and save a buck or for convenience sake, will only cause problems. You wouldn't have your plummer work on your car or your mechanic try to fix your sink would you? I knew you would understand. |
 TEAMSTERS |
| The Teamster Union Local 986 claim jurisdiction over the operation of all material handling equipment, all unloading and reloading, and handling of empty containers. An exhibitor may only move material that can be hand-carried by one person in one trip. Hand-carried is defined as small cartons, packages, or portable lap-top computers that usually weigh less than 30 lbs. Unions claim jurisdiction under all other circumstances. No one, other than the official contractor's employees, is allowed to use dollies, hand trucks, or other mechanical equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, I & D Company employees, hotel employees and facility employees. Local 986 Teamsters are also responsible for managing the docks and scheduling the loading and unloading of vehicles for the smooth and efficient move-in and move-out of the exposition. |
 DECORATORS |
| The Sign, Display and Allied Crafts Union Local 831 claim jurisdiction over all setup and dismantling of exhibits including signs and carpet installation. This does not apply to the unpacking and placement of your merchandise (items produced by you for sales, scheduled for display in your booth, or literature describing same). You may set up your exhibit display if one person can accomplish the task in less than 1/2 hour without the use of any tools. If your display takes longer, or requires more people (or tools), you will be required to hire union labor at a ratio of one union person for each person from your company that works setting up the booth. |
 TIPPING |
| Tipping is not allowed nor
is it an accepted practice in Southern California. We feel that it is not
fair for exhibitors to tip a worker for doing what he or she gets paid
well to do. Especially after paying for the booth space, freight, drayage,
rental companies, floral companies, etc. We feel that this practice cheapens
the industry as a whole. It may be an accepted practice in other parts
of the country but here in Southern California, those that are caught taking
tips are punished and sometimes fired (Depending on the circumstances).
The best thing you can do for that worker that did a good job for you,
is to not put him or her into a compromising position by offering a tip.
No one should ever lose their job because they did a good job and then
took a tip. Unfortunately, getting a tip for doing a good job and getting
one for doing a un-authorized favor for someone looks incredibly similar
when viewed through the eyes of other exhibitors or management.
If someone did an exceptionally good job for you, a great way to say thank you to that person is to find his or her Supervisor or the Show Account Executive or Show Manager. Let them know that you had a pleasant experience with one or some of their people. If you are so inclined, you could write a note to the President or the General Manager of the company, explaining the fine job that was done for you. This will go along way towards the workers future. A lot more than a few bucks will do. |