Legal Definitions - permit card

A permit card is a document issued by a labor union that grants a non-union worker temporary authorization to perform work on a specific job or project. This is typically required when the job site or project is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, meaning that most work is reserved for union members. The permit card allows a qualified individual who is not a full union member to work under the union's jurisdiction, often for a limited duration or for a specialized task, without requiring them to join the union permanently.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this concept:

• Construction Project: Imagine a large commercial building project where the general contractor has agreements with various construction unions, including a plumbers' union. During the project, a highly specialized welding technique is required for a unique piping system, and none of the unionized plumbers currently on staff have that specific certification. The contractor identifies an expert welder who is not a member of the local plumbers' union.

  In this scenario, the plumbers' union might issue a permit card to the specialized welder. This card would allow the non-union welder to work on that specific, complex welding task for the duration it's needed, ensuring the project progresses while respecting the union's jurisdiction over the job site.

• Film Production Set: Consider a major film studio that operates under collective bargaining agreements with various entertainment industry unions, such as those representing camera operators, lighting technicians, and set builders. For a particular scene, the production needs a freelance visual effects artist with a very niche skill set for a two-week period to create a specific digital effect. This artist is highly sought after but is not a member of the relevant union.

  To enable the artist to work on the unionized film set without requiring them to join the union for such a short engagement, the union might issue a permit card. This card grants the artist temporary authorization to work on that specific project, allowing the production to utilize their unique talent while adhering to union labor rules.

• Concert Venue Setup: A large metropolitan concert hall has a standing agreement with a local stagehands' union for all event setup, lighting, sound, and teardown. An international touring music act arrives with its own highly specialized lighting director and sound engineer who operate unique, proprietary equipment and are not members of the local stagehands' union.

  The local stagehands' union could issue permit cards to these touring technicians. This allows them to perform their specific, specialized duties for the duration of the concert's stay at the unionized venue, ensuring the show runs smoothly without requiring them to become full members of the local union for a temporary engagement.