Availability and Dispatch

The IATSE Local 891 Dispatch department calls members regarding available work before permittees. If no member is available, permittees are contacted. It is important for all members and permittees to be familiar with the policies and procedures below.

For Members and Permittees

  • To give yourself the best chance of being called for work you must let us know if you are available. If you are not listed as available for day calls, you will not be called.
  • Once you have been dispatched, we will list you as working and, therefore, unavailable. When you are finished working, let Dispatch know that you are now available.
  • If you leave a voicemail, Dispatch will not call you to confirm receipt of your call.
  • If you change your phone number, email address, or home address, you must call the general office number or the Dispatch office. Members can also update these details using their personal profile page.
  • Dispatchers usually fill the majority of next-day calls in the evening, and ASAP calls are filled the same day. You should always be contactable and be prepared to work at any time.
  • If you are unable to show up on time for a job, you must immediately notify the contact person given to you by the dispatch office. If no one answers the phone, you must leave a message. There are serious consequences for being a "no-show" without an acceptable explanation.
  • Please remember that Union work permits and Union dispatches are only valid for continuous days of work. Any days worked without Union authorization will not qualify towards membership.
  • If you are a member, you have been granted work classifications based on the information you provided on your application. For additional or different classifications, apply in writing to the department. For more information visit our applications page.
  • Before starting a job, please remember to read the important notes in starting a job.
Additional Notes for Permittees
  • Once you have been accepted as a permittee of our Union, your name, phone numbers, and approved classifications will be added to our Permittee Auxiliary Roster.
  • You have been granted work classifications based on the information you provided on your original application. For additional or different classifications, you must apply in writing to the department.
  • Once you have worked 90 days under an IATSE 891 contract within one department, you can apply for membership; see applications for more information.
  • If you change your phone number, email address, or home address, you must inform us either by calling our main office number, or Dispatch. If we are unable to contact you over a period of 12 months, you will have to reapply for permittee status
  • Any permittee found working without a valid work permit or record of being dispatched may be removed from the job and risk suspension of their permittee status. Days worked as a non-permitted worker do not count towards membership requirements with IATSE Local 891.
  • If you receive a call to work on a production by anyone other than an 891 dispatcher, you must inform the senior steward's assistant at 604-664-8920 to confirm that a valid work permit has been issued for your employment. If no work permit has been authorized, you may not accept the call, and you will be referred to the senior steward.