Every IBEW outside line local maintains an out-of-work book — a list of available members waiting for dispatch. If you've ever heard someone say "I'm number 12 on Book 1" or "Book 2 is 85 deep," they're talking about this system. Understanding how it works is essential for deciding where to sign and when to travel.
What Is the Out-of-Work Book?
The out-of-work book is the dispatch queue at an IBEW local union hall. When you're available for work, you sign the book. When a contractor requests workers, the dispatcher refers people from the top of the book in the order they signed — first in, first out.
Think of it like a waiting list at a restaurant, except the list determines who gets the next job call. Your position on the book tells you roughly how many people are ahead of you for the next available call in your classification.
Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4 — What's the Difference?
Most outside line locals maintain multiple books, and which book you're placed on depends on your relationship to that local.
Book 1 is for members whose home local is that hall. If you're a journeyman lineman and Local 77 is your home local, you sign Book 1 at Local 77. Book 1 members get first priority for all job calls — the dispatcher works through the entire Book 1 list before moving to Book 2.
Book 2 is typically for traveling IBEW members — journeymen from other locals who have signed the books looking for work. If you're a member of Local 47 and you travel to Local 77's jurisdiction, you'd sign Book 2. You get dispatched after Book 1 is exhausted.
Book 3 is used at some locals for additional priority tiers. The specifics vary — some locals place certain classifications or member types on Book 3. Not every local uses a Book 3.
Book 4 is the least common and typically has the lowest dispatch priority. Again, not every local has one, and the rules for who goes on Book 4 depend on the local's working agreement.
The key takeaway: lower book numbers get dispatched first. If a local has 50 people on Book 1 and 30 on Book 2, all 50 Book 1 members get called before anyone on Book 2. But if work is booming and Book 1 is short, Book 2 can move fast.
Why Book Status Matters
Book status is one of the most important signals a traveling lineman can use to decide where to go. Here's what the numbers tell you.
A short Book 1 with lots of calls means the local can't fill demand with their own members. Travelers on Book 2 will get dispatched quickly — this is often the best scenario for someone looking to pick up work.
A long Book 1 with few calls means even local members are waiting. Signing Book 2 here could mean a long wait. Unless you have a specific reason to be in that area, your time might be better spent elsewhere.
Book movement — how quickly people are being dispatched off the book — matters as much as the raw number. A book of 40 at a busy local where 10 people get dispatched per week is very different from a book of 40 at a slow local. Tracking trends over time gives you a clearer picture than a single snapshot.
You can check current book numbers for locals that publish this data on the Union Line Calls Book Status page.
How to Sign the Books
The process for signing the out-of-work book varies by local.
In person. Many locals still require you to physically show up at the hall to sign. Bring your current IBEW membership card and any required documentation. Dispatch offices typically have set hours — call ahead or check the local's page in the Hall Directory for contact details.
By phone. Some locals allow you to call the dispatch office to sign the book, especially for travelers. This is more common at locals accustomed to high traveler volume.
Online. A growing number of locals offer online book signing through their websites or dispatch systems. This is still the exception rather than the norm, but it's becoming more common.
When you sign, you'll be placed on the appropriate book based on your membership status and the local's rules. Your position is determined by the date and time you signed.
What Affects Your Position on the Book
Several things can change your book position or status.
Passing on a call. If the dispatcher offers you a call and you turn it down, some locals move you to the bottom of the book. Others allow a limited number of passes before re-signing you. The rules depend on the local's working agreement — ask the dispatcher when you sign.
Working and returning. When you finish a job, you re-sign the book. Your new position is based on when you re-signed, not your original position. You go to the bottom of the list and work your way back up.
Not being reachable. If the dispatcher tries to call you and can't reach you, they move to the next person. Most locals make multiple attempts, but if you consistently can't be reached, you may be removed from the book. Keep your phone on and your contact info current with the hall.
Book expiration. Some locals require you to re-sign periodically (every 30, 60, or 90 days) to stay active on the book. If you don't re-sign before your registration expires, you're removed from the list. Check the local's policy when you sign.
Reading Book Status Numbers
When you see book status data, here's what to look for.
Total on Book 1 tells you how many local members are waiting for work. A low number relative to the local's typical call volume is a good sign.
Total on Book 2 tells you how many travelers are ahead of you. If you haven't signed yet, this is the line you'd be joining.
Trend direction — whether books are growing or shrinking over time — is more useful than any single number. A book that's been dropping for two weeks suggests increasing demand or members leaving for other locals. A book that's been climbing suggests work is slowing down.
Classification breakdown. Some locals report book numbers by classification. Journeyman Lineman books are typically the most watched, but if you're a groundman or equipment operator, the book for your specific classification is what matters.
Using Book Status to Plan Your Travel
For travelers, book status is a planning tool. Before committing to a drive across the country, checking the books can save you time and money.
Compare book numbers across several locals in the region you're considering. A local with a short Book 2 and active job calls is a stronger bet than one with 80 people on Book 2 and sporadic work. Combine this with job call data — if a local is posting multiple calls per week while their books are short, demand is outpacing supply.
The Book Status page on Union Line Calls tracks book numbers across multiple locals in one place, so you can compare without checking each local's website individually. Pair that with the Job Board to see what calls are actively posted, and the Hall Directory for contact information when you're ready to call in and sign. To understand what you'll see in those call postings, check out How IBEW Job Calls Work. And if you're evaluating the full compensation picture, our Per Diem Guide for Traveling Linemen breaks down one of the biggest variables.
For a broader overview of what it takes to work on the road, see our guide on How to Travel as an IBEW Lineman.