Requirements and procedures for joining camera operator unions in the United States

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2013Steadi-Newbies forum

13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

In the western United States, camera operators must accumulate either 30 days on payroll at a union job or 100 days on payroll at a non-union job before becoming eligible to join Local 600, and must then be approved by contract services and placed on a roster before legally working union gigs.
Local 600 is the primary union for film, television, and commercial work, while NABET covers live television and IBEW covers CBS work.
After joining a union, operators must complete 600 hours of work within 12 months to qualify for benefits, and maintain 400 hours every 6 months to keep those benefits active.
On the east coast, Local 600 offers a test-based entry pathway for prospective members.
Joining a union represents a significant career decision that should only be pursued when actively working on union-covered projects or when union representation becomes necessary.

Requirements and procedures may differ between Local 600 west coast, Local 600 east coast, NABET, and IBEW.
Some participants acknowledged that certain union entry requirements could potentially be circumvented through informal means, suggesting rules may not be uniformly enforced.
The information about NABET and IBEW entry requirements is less detailed than for Local 600.
Some contradictions exist in the thread regarding specific hour requirements and timeline details.