IATSE_1st2017_web

un counter to some important MPIHP
provisions and protections such as altering
the appeals process, shortening statute
of limitation periods, and requiring
arbitration, amongst other things. Additionally,
plan improvements include
Telemedicine, the inclusion of urgent care
facilities in the network, a member assistance
program and an ambulance benefit
change to provide additional ambulance
benefits in-network for emergencies have
all been implemented recently.
President Loeb commended the Trustees
for their diligent work at the MPIPHP
on behalf of the IA members and their
families. President Loeb expressed his
appreciation to MPIPHP CEO David
Asplund for bringing stability to the plan
and increasing morale. The Plan has really
benefited from his leadership.
NATIONAL LOW
BUDGET AGREEMENT
International Vice President Michael
F. Miller, Jr. and Assistant Motion Picture
Directors Daniel Mahoney and Vanessa
Holtgrewe reported to the General Executive
Board on the outcome of the negotiations
for the 2017-2019 Low Budget Theatrical
Agreement.
After discussions with the affected
Locals across North America, it was determined
that the smartest course of action
would be a negotiation with few proposals
that were limited to economics and benefits.
This protected the strong terms and
working conditions of this Agreement,
such as stringent subcontracting limitations,
ten hour daily turnaround, and
thirty-two and forty-eight hour weekend
turnaround, triple time after fifteen hours
worked, mileage paid at the IRS rate, and
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday.
As such, after discussions with the Employers,
the contract has been renewed for
another three years with industry standard
wage increases and benefit increases consistent
with the Basic Agreement and Area
Standards Agreement. The Budget Tiers
1, 2, and 3 were raised to account for the
increased costs of wages and benefits. The
Ultra Low Budget Film cap will not change
but Tier 1 is increased to $6 million, Tier
2 covers $6 million to $10 million, and
Tier 3 spans $10 million to $14.2 million.
These budget caps will remain frozen for
the term of the contract.
The Agreement went into effect on
January 1, 2017, along with 3% yearly wage
increases, and $5 per day National Benefit
Fund contribution increases in each year
of the Agreement.
President Loeb thanked Vice President
Miller, and Assistant Directors Mahoney
and Holtgrewe for their hard work in negotiating
the new contract.
A motion was made to ratify the contract,
the motion was seconded, and carried.
NON-LEAGUE NEGOTIATIONS
International Vice Presidents Anthony
DePaulo and Daniel Di Tolla, International
Trustee Patricia A. White, Assistant
Director of Stagecraft D. Joseph Hartnett
and General Counsel Samantha Dulaney
reported to the Board about the recently
completed Non-League Pink Contract negotiations.
Vice President DePaulo explained
that the Non-League Pink consists of two
agreements, the “L” Touring Agreement
and the Bus and Truck agreement. These
contracts covering Big League, Networks,
Phoenix-Ent, Troika, and Work Light productions
expired on June 30, 2016. Vice
Presidents DePaulo and Di Tolla, Trustee
White, Assistant Director Hartnett, Special
Representatives Brian Munroe and Don
Martin and General Counsel Dulaney
were assigned to renegotiate. Over the series
of meetings in August 2016 successor
agreements were agreed on.
The “L” Touring Agreement has
tracked the Broadway League/Disney Pink
contract and that principle remains intact.
The new agreement includes all of the improvements
made in the League/Disney
contract including; wage, per diem, and
health contribution increases on all three
tiers of the contract, Full, Modified, and
SET; reduction in uncompensated work
hours after official opening, improvements
in housing language, and increases in travel
expenses. The Bus and Truck agreement
also achieved wage, per diem, and health
contribution increases and introduced
annuity contributions. The reduction in
uncompensated work hours represents a
significant improvement at the lower tiers.
A review of the last three touring seasons
has confirmed that the tier distribution
has remained largely consistent. In
2014 there were 1 Full, 2 Modified, 3 SET,
4 “M”, and 9 “S” tours. In 2015 there were
3 Full, 3 SET, 4 “M”, and 8 “S” tours. 2016
had 3 Modified, 4 SET, 6 “M”, and 5 “S”.
President Loeb observed that 2016
marked the second coordinated bargaining
sessions amongst these five producers
(the first occurred in 2013). He noted
with satisfaction that the Department is
auditing shows to ensure that these agreements
are being followed. He remarked
that these agreements provide steady work
with wages and benefits for hundreds of
members. On behalf of the International,
President Loeb expressed appreciation for
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