Business Manager: Richard Deering
Email Contact: DDeering@ibew567.com

CODE OF EXCELLENCE
A Labor-Management Cooperative Program to Promote Jobsite Excellence and Customer Satisfaction

OVERVIEW

CODE OF EXCELLENCE

The Code of Excellence, as adopted by the Local 567 IBEW/NECA Partnership, is a program to promote and bring out the best from our Construction, Residential, and Teledata members on the jobs performed by our signatory contractors for their customers.

The Code of Excellence:

• WILL insure the highest quality and quantity of work through the utilization of best skills and best work practices.
• Its GOAL is a job built on time, under budget, and right the first time.
• WILL instill in our membership pride in their craftsmanship. Upon completion of the job, the lasting impression of quality workmanship will remain with the customer, prompting him to utilize the IBEW/NECA Partnership again.
• CAN only be accomplished through teamwork on the job, and the projection of a positive attitude about the work we do both on and off the job.
• HAS the total support of Local 567 at all levels, and the officers of Local 567 will set an example for all members to follow and will promote the Code of Excellence.
  

Because the role of an "Excellence Steward" is critical to the program's success, the Business Manager, with the full support of the officers of Local 567, will carefully appoint, extensively train, and activate stewards on the job. The Steward shall have full responsibility for communicating the Code of Excellence to all members, and insuring all members are meeting their responsibilities to our Code of Excellence.

LOCAL 567 RESPONSIBILITIES

The Business Manager, through and in partnership with the stewards, shall insure the following responsibilities of Local 567 in implementing the Code of Excellence are being met, every day, and by every member: 

• All members will adhere to contractual starting and quitting times, break times, and lunch periods and will not leave the jobsite without proper approval
• All members will meet their responsibility as highly skilled craftsmen to have all the tools on the established tool list and to take care of the tools provided by the employer
• All members will meet their responsibility to be fit for duty and to insure our zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse is strictly met
• All members will be productive and will keep idle time to a minimum
• All members will meet their responsibility to the employer and their fellow members employed on the job by arriving at the jobsite on time and ready to work
• All members will meet their contractual responsibility to eliminate disruptions on the job, will respect the property of the customer, and graffiti and other forms of destruction and waste will not be tolerated
• All members will respect the customer, client, contractor, and the IBEW by not wearing clothing or buttons that have offensive wording or symbols
• The Steward and leaders on the job will work with the other members who may have bad work habits, skills, or attitudes, setting a standard of quality and productivity second to none through the contributions of the whole team
• Any method used to extend the job or create overtime shall not be tolerated
• Any inappropriate behavior towards another member or group of members shall not be tolerated
• No member shall solicit funds or promote the sale of any merchandise on any jobsite without the prior approval of the Business Manager
• No use of personal cell phones will be allowed on the job except for lunch or break periods

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES 

NECA and its signatory employers have a responsibility to manage their jobs effectively, and as such have the following responsibilities under the Code of Excellence: 

• To replace and to return to the referral hall ineffective superintendents, general foremen, and foremen
• To insure proper job layout and adequate and proper materials to minimize worker downtime and insure efficient job progress
• To insure the proper numbers and types of necessary tools
• To insure proper storage for both contractor and employee tools
• To insure adequate numbers of employees to perform the work safely and efficiently, and, conversely, to limit the number of employees to the work at hand, demonstrating to the customer the efficiency of our partnership
• To provide the necessary leadership skills for jobsite leaders to eliminate problems
• To insure jobsite leaders take the necessary responsibility for mistakes created by management decisions
• To eliminate unsafe work conditions, and to insure that proper safety training, equipment, and methods are utilized
• To treat all employees in a respectful and dignified manner acknowledging their contributions to a successful project.

PROBLEM RESOLUTION THROUGH THE CODE OF EXCELLENCE

It is understood that both Local 567 and the signatory contractors have obligations and responsibilities under the Code of Excellence. The Local's role is to assist management with individual problems with its members, insuring success in providing honest and diligent service to the employer.

LOCAL UNION RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Steward will work with members to correct and solve problems related to job performance
• The Local will provide specialized training for "Excellence" Stewards
• The Steward will communicate on a regular basis with the management team to communicate job progress, work schedules, and work progress problems to the members
• Monthly meetings will be established between the Business Manager, or his representative to discuss and resolve issues related to the compliance with 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's Executive Board shall have the responsibility of addressing such members' failure to meet their obligation to the Local and the IBEW, up to and including filing charges. The role of the Local is to correct the problem using all means at its disposal
• The Steward and management will attempt 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 the member/employee is detrimental to the goals of the Code of Excellence, and should remain employed

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The ultimate responsibility of managing the job falls squarely on the shoulders of contractor management. Problems with job performance can be addressed as follows:

• Management will address concerns brought forth by the Steward. If the lowest level of management does not resolve the problem, the Steward may choose to address the issue with higher levels of management
• If the issue is not resolved, the Local or contractor may call for a contractually established Labor-Management meeting to resolve concerns or issues
• The Local may elicit customer support to address the problem

ADDITIONAL JOINTLY SUPPORTED METHODS

• Weekly job progress "toolbox" meetings
• Weekly LMCC session to share problems and solutions between employers
• Foremen and General Foremen should be certified as "Excellence" job leaders through attendance of NECA's Electrical Project Supervision classes