Making it Easier for Our Customers

We are proud of the improvements and reduced costs that have been made for Navy Pier customers. Two major labor initiatives have contributed to this important customer issue. 1999 Work Rule Changes Unified Labor Force Effective May 1999, the carpenters and decorators are organized into a single Unified Labor Force. This means that they will work across traditional union jurisdiction lines. This also means that only one request will be needed to obtain the labor required to set up your booth. This translates into faster service and greater efficiency. More Affordable Overtime: The regular work day Monday through Friday is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and paid at straight time pay. All work performed between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. shall be paid at time-and-one-half pay, except that Riggers, Decorators and Carpenters who have not worked for at least eight (8) hours at straight time on that day shall be entitled to double time after 6:30 p.m. The first four (4) hours of tear-down work on Monday through Friday that commences after 4:30 p.m. shall be paid at time-and-one-half pay. The first two (2) hours of tear-down work on Saturday shall be paid at time-and-one-half pay. For Riggers only, the first four hours of tear down work on Monday through Friday that begins at or after 4:30 PM shall be paid at time-and-one-half pay. For tear down work that begins prior to 4:30 PM, hours worked between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM shall be paid at time-and-one-half. The first two (2) hours of tear down work on Saturday shall be paid at time-and-one-half pay. Relaxed Work Rules: An exhibitor or a full-time employee of the exhibitor is permitted to do much more of their own set-up work. In a booth of 300 square feet or less (approximately 70% of all booths), an exhibitor may do his/her own assembly and decorating work, if they so choose. The only restriction is that carpenters or decorators must perform work involving the use of power tools or ladders. For aerial sign-hanging jobs, the new agreement reduces crew size from 4 workers to just 3, when safety is not an issue. An exhibitor's full time employee may work along with labor by assisting with the installation and dismantling of a booth of 300 square feet or less. Electrical Savings: Show Management, using their own staff, may install, plug-in and hook-up show management computer systems just as the exhibitors are allowed to do. Exhibitors and their full-time employees may plug 110v/120v equipment into the outlets provided. This includes VCRs, TVs, computers, and other appliances: Exhibitors and their full-time employees may now set up computers and peripherals, e.g., monitor, mouse, keyboard. Exhibitors and their full-time employees may operate a single video camera, VCR, and switching equipment. This is true whether the equipment is battery powered or is plugged into an electrical outlet. While electricians must still perform all power terminations and on-site cable installation, exhibitors and their full-time employees may terminate the interconnecting cables in control panels between their equipment. Exhibitors who don't require extensive electrical services for their booths now have a lower cost option available. Navy Pier is offering a 500-watt service. 2005 Labor Initiative In May of 2005, representatives of the labor community, service contractors and many of our valued customers announced an important set of changes designed to enhance Navy Pier's competitive position in the convention industry. This new agreement establishes a permanent Labor Management Council comprised of MPEA officials, labor, contractors and customers. It will serve as a forum to review issues related to cost, efficiency and the overall show experience. This mechanism will allow for new changes to be implemented on a continual basis. Additional changes will reduce costs and increase flexibility. A few examples include: Additional time when work can be performed at straight time. Under the new rules, shows will have the option of having work performed beginning at 6:00 am, 7:00 am or 8:00 am at straight time. This will apply to all jurisdictions at Navy Pier. Reforms aimed at giving exhibitors new rights to perform work on their own. Exhibitors in booths of any size will be able to carry out a wide number of activities. The exhibitor may now make low voltage electrical connections. This includes low voltage control wiring within exhibits as well as set-up of computer peripherals, i.e., monitor, mouse and keyboard. Plugging in of 110-volt electrical equipment by the exhibitor is now permitted. (Compliance with the Chicago electrical code is required at all times.) No stand-by labor is required for 480-volt service work. Crew sizes assigned to various jobs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions to allocate workers will be made on an individual basis, during pre-show meetings, and reviewed once again following the show. The delivery charge for audio-visual equipment and computer rental equipment by Navy Pier has been reduced by 40%. The agreement establishes a formal auditing process to review bills submitted by contractors. The audit will guarantee that cost savings are passed on to the customer. Through our continued hard work and our commitment to our customers, and with the benefit of these changes, Navy Pier will continue to contribute to the success of your events.