IBEW ERTS FAQ

A1.1: The application runs on a secure server. There are different versions of the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape Navigator that encounters problem when connected to a secure server that uses session cookies to manage the user secure connection. Solution, make sure the operating system is at the most current patch level. Microsoft has provided several security patches for its operating systems and those patches are available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/default.mspx.

THE AOL BROWSER IS CURRENTLY NOT SUPPORTED

For Windows ME (with the latest updates from Microsoft), use IE 5.0, 5.5 & 6.0 SP1 or Netscape 4.8 and above
For Windows 98 (2^nd Edition), use IE 5.0 & 6.0 SP1 or Netscape 4.8 and above
For Windows 2000 (SP3), use IE 5.5, 6.0 SP1 or Netscape 4.8 and above
For Windows XP (SP1), use IE 6.0 SP1 or Netscape 4.8 and above

JAVA and JavaScript must be enabled for the browser used

A1.2: If the user infrastructure uses a PROXY Server to access the Internet, this could also cause a problem when logging onto the application. The application uses port 443 for the secure connection and cannot be redirected. Direct access must be provided to allow the users to connect to the application. The Proxy server needs to allow direct connection on port 443 through the firewall.

The following browser configuration settings are needed when connecting to the ERTS system in a Proxy Server environment:

I. Netscape Browsers: Select Edit ==> Preference ==> Advanced ==> Proxies. Change the Manual Proxy Configuration Exceptions pane labeled Do not use proxy servers for domains beginning with: by adding erts.ibew.com. Save the changes, close all Netscape windows and restart the browser.

II. Microsoft IE Browsers: Select Tools ==> Internet Options ==> Connections Tab ==> Click LAN Settings. At the bottom of the window the Use Proxy Server checkbox should be checked. Click on the Advanced to get the proxy settings. At the bottom of this window in the Exceptions pane, labeled Do not use proxy servers for domains beginning with: add erts.ibew.com. Save the changes, close all IE windows and restart the browser.

Q2: When I attempt to logon to the system I keep getting Your login attempt failed, Please check the UserID or Password?

A2: You have not entered the UserID or password exactly as they were issued. Remember the UserID and password are case sensitive so check to make sure the CAPS lock is off. If you have made 5 or more failed attempts to access the system, then the account is locked and you must contact the Reciprocal Administrators (RA) office at 202.728.6121 or email the RA at reciprocity@ibew.org to get the account unlocked.

Q3: When I go to the ERTS application I get "The Page Cannot Be Displayed" Error Message.

A3: Make sure if you bookmark the ERTS URL you bookmark the "Main" page only. You cannot bookmark any other page in the ERTS system, this error will appear because the application requires you to login and validate your role before accessing any other page.

Q4: Where do I call or email to get technical support?

A4: Please contact Allen Bates Technologies Customer Service at 888.728.9904 or email them at erts@allenbates.com with a description of the problem experienced and your contact information between 8:00 AM 8:00 PM EST.

Q5: What are the minimum system requirement for the system used to access the ERTS system?

A5: The application runs best on the following minimum system configuration:

CPU: Pentium II 500 MHz
Memory: 64 MB RAM
Disk Space: 1 Gb needed only if files are being uploaded to the system
Internet Connection: 56K and above (e.g. ISDN, DSL, or T1)

Q6: What is the file format for the Remittance upload file?

There are three file format for uploading a remittance file into the ERTS system listed below.

A6.1: For a Single Fund file, the ASCII file uses the pipe | symbol for the field separator with the layout below.

The maximum length for each field and the format are as follows:

Name of an Employee:50 characters (e.g. Mary S. Snow)
SSN/SIN:11 characters (9 digits and 2 dashes) Dashes are required.
Month Hours Worked:3 characters (e.g. Jan, Sep, Dec)
Year: 4 digits (e.g. 1999, 2002)
Total Hours: 12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 95025.00 or 1000.25)
Gross wages: 12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g.15.33 or 104670.25)
Hourly Rate Contribution:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 15.25 or 10.75)
Total Transfers: 12 digits total including 2 decimal places and negative (-) sign
(e.g. 14253025 or -250000.25)

Field order:

Example:

Abraham Lincoln|121-12-7416|Feb|2002|100|1045|5.50|98544.25
Julia Roberts|215-18-0025|Mar|2001|10|1689|1.75|77777.25
Tim Conay|416-56-9748|Jul|2002|110|250|15.00|-25220.25
(Note: Negative values can be entered in the Total Transfers field)

A6.2: For a Multiple Fund file, the ASCII file uses the pipe | symbol for the field separator with the layout below.

The IDs are found in the ERTS Local Union and Fund Code link on the Remittance Main Page.
The maximum length for each field and the format are as follows:

Participating Local Union ID:4 digits (e.g. 5, 102, 382)
Participating Fund ID: 4 digits (e.g. 112, 2253)
Home Local Union ID:4 digits (e.g. 5, 102, 382)
Home Local Fund ID: 4 digits (e.g. 112, 2253)
Name of an Employee:50 characters (e.g. Mary S. Snow)
SSN/SIN:11 characters (9 digits and 2dashes) Dashes are required.
Month Hours Worked: 3 characters (e.g. Jan, Sep, Dec)
Year: 4 digits (e.g. 1999, 2002)
Total Hours:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 95025.00 or 1000.25)
Gross wages:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g.15.33 or 104670.25)
Hourly Rate Contribution:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 15.25 or 10.75)
Total Transfers:12 digits total including 2 decimal places and negative (-) sign
(e.g. 14253025 or - 250000.25)

Field order:

Participating Union ID|Participating Fund ID|Home Union ID|Home Fund ID|Name of an Employee|
SSN/SIN|Month Hours Worked|Year|Total Hours|Gross Wages|Hourly Rate Contribution|Total Transfers

Example:

283|476|316|507|Abraham Lincoln|121-12-7416|Feb|2002|100|1045|5.50|98544.25
283|476|316|507|Julia Roberts|215-18-0025|Mar|2001|10|1689|1.75|77777.25
283|476|316|507|Tim Conay|416-56-9748|Jul|2002|110|250|15.00|-25220.25
(Note: Negative values can be entered in the Total Transfers field)

A6.3: For a Multiple Fund With Check Numbers file, the ASCII file uses the pipe | symbol for the field separator with the layout below.

The maximum length for each field and the format are as follows:

Participating Local Union ID: 4 digits (e.g. 5, 102, 382)
Participating Fund ID:4 digits (e.g. 112, 2253)
Home Local Union ID:4 digits (e.g. 5, 102, 382)
Home Local Fund ID:4 digits (e.g. 112, 2253)
Name of an Employee:50 characters (e.g. Mary S. Snow)
SSN/SIN:11 characters (9 digits and 2 dashes) Dashes are required.
Month Hours Worked:3 characters (e.g. Jan, Sep, Dec)
Year: 4 digits (e.g. 1999, 2002)
Total Hours:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 95025.00 or 1000.25)
Gross wages:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g.15.33 or 104670.25)
Hourly Rate Contribution:12 digits total including 2 decimal places (e.g. 15.25 or 10.75)
Total Transfers:12 digits total including 2 decimal places and negative (-) sign
(e.g. 14253025 or - 250000.25)
Check Number :10 digits maximum (e.g. 11758)

Field order:

Participating Union ID|Participating Fund ID|Home Union ID|Home Fund ID|Name of an Employee|SSN/SIN|
Month Hours Worked|Year|Total Hours|Gross Wages|Hourly Rate Contribution|Total Transfers|Check Number

Example:

283|476|316|507|Abraham Lincoln|121-12-7416|Feb|2002|100|1045|5.50|98544.25|11125
283|476|316|507|Julia Roberts|215-18-0025|Mar|2001|10|1689|1.75|77777.25|11125
283|476|316|507|Tim Conay|416-56-9748|Jul|2002|110|250|15.00|-25220.25|11125< (Note: Negative values can be entered in the Total Transfers field)

***No validation is performed on the values for any of the individual entries.

***Please do not include commas in any of the fields. This is to maintain one standard easy touse format between all the different Funds (e.g. Name, Dollar amounts).

***Please make sure that the there are no spaces or empty lines after the last entry.

Q7: Since we are no longer sending paper copies of the member authorization, how will the Trust Administrator
know when traveling members are in their jurisdiction and what to do with the traveling members monies?

A7:ERTS has not changed the Reciprocity process but simply provides an electronic medium to perform the tasks.

The Electronic Reciprocal Transfer System (ERTS) process is as follows:

I.        The member will register online at the Local Union hall or at a Fund Office after personal verification is completed.

II.       The registration confirmation page will be printed for his/her signature and kept on file at that location.

III.      The system will send a confirmation request to the designated Home Fund for their acceptance of the member to the Fund.

IV.      Once accepted by the Fund a Blanket Authorization is placed online that can be viewed by all Locals and Funds for verification of a members Home Fund Designation.

V.       When a member travels, he/she is required to check into the Local Union Hall. The referring Local Union shall send a correspondence to the Participating Fund and the Home Fund advising all funds that the member is a traveler working in their jurisdiction. This notification will advise the participating fund to prepare to receive reciprocal transfers and will advise the Home Fund to expect those transfers.

VI.      If the notification is not sent and a report is received from the contractor with an unidentified or new member, the Fund Administrator can check the system to see if the member is registered and if a blanket authorization is available. This will advise the Participating Fund of the Home Fund designation and where the monies can be reciprocated.

VII.    The Trust Administrator will reciprocate all of the traveling member monies using the ERTS remittance form (or upload the information from a file).

VIII.    Reports of all remittance activity with members information are maintained online for the Trust Administrators review.

Q8: When I try to download an attachment from ERTS using the IE Browser I get an error, Internet Explorer cannot download...nt&filename=nnnnnn.rtf from erts.ibew.com?

A8: We have found that the IE Browser setting is blocking the download of files from secure Web sites. Change the following preference
in the IE Browser to resolve this problem: Select Tools ==> Internet Options ==> Advanced and click on the Security Tab. Change the
setting in the checkbox for the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option. (If it is not checked, then check the option or if it is
checked, then uncheck the option.)

Q9: How do I get registered and obtain my UserID and Password for ERTS?

A9: The Reciprocal Administrator initially registers the Local Union Administrator and the Fund Administrator. The confidentiality forms
must be returned to the RA office and the RA will then create the profile and issue the UserID and password in a letter via USPS mail.
Instructions are included in the mailing with the confidentiality forms to assist in the registration process. Please contact the Reciprocal
Administrators office if you have additional questions.

Q10: Do I need to register all my members in the ERTS System?

A10: No. Only the traveling members need to register with the ERTS system.

Q11 What if I dont have access to a computer?

A11: You can access ERTS from any computer that has Internet access with a current version of one of the commonly used Web browser.
See question #1 for browser information. Public Libraries and Cyber cafs are a great source for public computer usage.

Q12: What kind of security is built into the ERTS system to protect my members information?

A12:The ERTS system is hosted in the AT&T hosting center, which provides Defense Department level security access to all servers and
24x7x365 availability. AT&T provides redundant power from two independent suppliers to the facility and they have heavy-duty backup
generators to provide 48 hours of additional power as a fail-safe power supply. The servers are behind firewalls with only the Secure Socket
Layer (SSL) port (443) accessible to the outside. All connections and client communications to the server are encrypted via a 128-bit Entrust
server certificate. The application database servers are behind an additional firewall that only provides access to the Web servers on a trusted
port.

Q13: How often do I (Member) have to register with my Local Union Hall?

A13: One time. This initial Participant Registration is a one-time requirement.

Q14: What do I (Member) do if I decide to travel to another Local to work or sign their books?

A14: Nothing. If you have registered with your Local Union, then there is really nothing else to complete. The Local you are traveling to will
verify with your home fund designation and you are now ready to go to work in their Local!

Q15: How often do I (Member) need to access ERTS and change information?

A15: Virtually never. Once your home fund has been selected (at the initial registration), you shouldnt have any need to access ERTS
unless you are updating your personal information such as a change in address.

Q16: Should my Fund choose the option of paying an annual fee upfront by January 15, 2003 or a quarterly fee after January 15,
2003, how is the fee calculated?

A16: Explanation/Example:

        Quarterly after January 15, 2003 - (Debited from accounts)
        January 2003 - $100
        February 2003 - $100
        March 2003 - December 2003 - $130 per month for the 10 months for a total of $1,300
        Yearly Total = $1,500

        Annual fee upfront prior to January 15, 2003 - (Paid by Check)
        A one month discount of $100 = $1,400 for January - December 2003
        Yearly Total = $1400

Q17: My Fund's account was debited in September 2002 and again in October 2002. Why did I receive two debits two months consecutively?

A17: The September quarterly debit paid all fees for the third quarter (July, August, September) as well as the month of June for those who signed up June 30, 2002 or before. The third quarter debit would normally take place in July but happened in September. The October 2002 debit pays the fourth quarter fees (October, November, December). Going forward quarterly Debit's take place on the 15th of the first month of every quarter.

Q18: The amount of the ACH debit was odd. How was the debit amount calculated?

A18: The ACH debit amount was calculated based on the date that your Fund sign up; hence, each Fund's amount was pro-rated based on the date of sign-up. For example: Each month $100 is divided by the number of days in that month. For months with 31 days the daily breakdown is $3.23. For the months with 30 days the daily breakdown is $3.33.

Q19: My Fund has forwarded the required ERTS Service Provider Agreement, when do I receive my User ID and password?

A19: The User ID and Passwords are forwarded directly from the IBEW International Office usually within 7 business days after the initial contract paperwork is processed. Remember, you must complete and return a "Confidentiality of Employee Information" form before the User ID and Passwords will be sent.