In a multi-access spool configuration, jobs enter the common queue from any input source (local or remote) attached to any member in the configuration. Normally, (unless special actions are taken), jobs are eligible to execute in any member in the configuration just as in a single-member operation. Started tasks and TSO/E users are an exception: they execute only in the member in which they are entered.

There are two different modes of initiators: those owned by JES2 and controlled by JES commands, and those owned and managed by workload management. Whether a job is selected by a JES initiator or by a WLM initiator is determined by the MODE= parameter on the JOBCLASS statement. Initiators from each JES2 member in the MAS select work from the common job queue independently of other initiators on other members of the JESplex. See WLM control of batch job initiation for more details.

Job queue entries also contain a member affinity for up to 32 members on the maximum configuration and can contain an independent mode affinity.