IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, calls itself “the union behind entertainment.” But it’s taking center stage with a strike vote beginning on Friday, October 1, after its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) stalled out.
An article in Newsweek today calls it Hollywood’s “biggest union walkout since World War Two.”
The union’s focus is on health and safety concerns.
“The science is clear,” the union says in a pamphlet distributed to members recently. “Long and irregular hours without adequate breaks and rest are unsafe. The IATSE Locals are unified in their recognition that no other industry demands its employees work without bathroom, meal, or relaxation breaks day after day. The IATSE Locals are unified in their understanding that no other industry deprives its employees enough time to drive to and from work and get eight hours sleep every work day, week after week, after week.”
Descriptions of shocking working conditions in the film industry are being shared via an Instagram account, @ia_stories, which recently got a writeup in Newsweek.
IATSE reportedly has 150,000 members in several locals, and likely has the capacity to shut down Hollywood productions of all kinds. Meanwhile, other industry unions are lining up in support of IATSE.
There are a couple of different agreements being negotiated at the same time, and it isn’t clear whether these will impact the union’s local in Hawaii. The website of IATSE Local 665 doesn’t contain any information on the Hollywood dispute or the additional standard agreement also being negotiated.
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Well if they strike and have pickets, cops and FBI jobs just became easier on the surveillance front.
IATSE… has the capacity to shut down Hollywood productions of all kinds.
Shut it down! Please!
I predict H-wood will take all their production to CHINA. They’re already kow towing and self censoring for the China market anyway so what’s to stop them from shooting films in Chinese studios and using Chinese labor that is not beholden to (real) labor unions? Just another exercise in off shoring.
Every member should know their contracts.
Employers position wants to take out of the contract what the card holders and non members have given up for years.
IATSE fighting to keep the language in.
Union leaders and officers continue to make side agreements against the National CBA defeats the purpose of IATSE negotiating for better hours and working conditions.
Strike means no paycheck, no contributions, no unemployment.
No strike means continue to work under an expired agreement, a paycheck, contributions and IATSE to go back on the bargaining table and come to an agreement.
The Area Standard Agreement should have been solidified July 31, 2021.
The last time a strike happened in the film industry, Reality Shows were introduced to television.
Will incarcerated union members be allowed to vote? Can IATSE achieve a quorum without them?
No quorum is required for a “Yes” or “No” vote.
Each IATSE local vote tally is counted separately. Any authorized member in “good standing” should be able to cast an official ballot.
Incarceration and law enforcement are other issues altogether.
The main issue here is humane treatment of workers and the ability to conduct a reasonable and fair “Collective Bargaining Agreements”.
Another big issue in Hawaii in my opinion is that some employers will attempt to take advantage of local union members because we are desperate for work and we are often unfairly required to cover much of our own food, lodging and transportation.
Today there is no central “Hollywood” and production takes place all over the globe yet a multitude of labor unions are still control of most work sites. This is not likely to change any time soon and for very good reasons.
The decision to Strike is something we do not take lightly as it entails much sacrifice on the part of rank and file members.