IATSE_4th2017_web

A tug of war fight - one of many
activities held at “A Day at the Races.”
We wanted to give people an opportunity
to get together and have a little fun.
DOONER
Fourth International Vice President and Department
Director for Motion Picture and TV Production Michael F.
Miller, Jr. says the value of IATSE Locals being involved in their
communities is difficult to overstate. “Being socially engaged extends
the reach of labor and of the IATSE,” Miller observes. “The
benefits include building community partnerships and political
strength, as well as forming solidarity among other unions. All
of that is on top of the internal benefits of just doing the right
thing as a part of our community.”
Miller cites several long-standing West Coast events as helping
the non-entertainment community identify and associate
with the IATSE brand. Those include: “A Day At the Races,”
spearheaded by Local 800 [Art Directors Guild] Associate Executive
Director dooner, and “Heartbeat of Hollywood Lite” cofounded
and led by Local 700 [Editors Guild] Executive Director
Cathy Repola and IATSE West Coast Office Manager Buffy
Snyder, both of which benefit the Motion Picture Television
Fund (MPTF).
dooner describes the MPTF as a charity that exists to support
Hollywood’s film and television workers. “From financial
assistance for those who fall on hard times, to assisting veterans
who are industry workers or the parents of industry workers
gain access to the VA benefits they are due, MPTF has always
been there with a helping hand,” he shares.
Like other social activism around the Alliance, “A Day at the
Races” was founded as a low-cost event for IATSE members and
their families. “The purpose is two-fold,” dooner continues. “In
addition to raising funds, we wanted to give people an opportunity
to get together and have a little fun. It is not unusual to
hear a name shouted across the gathering followed by, ‘I haven’t
seen you since we worked together on [insert a show name
here].’ We’ve tried to bring together old friends and introduce
new ones. We’ve even made some connections that resulted in
people being hired for work!”
A few years ago, Hollywood Teamsters and Hollywood Laborers
and Plasterers were invited to join the committee that
puts the event together. “We also placed an even greater focus
on families and children, creating a picnic atmosphere where
the kids do crafts and play games,” dooner adds. “By working
together, we have been able to grow the event each year. The
most recent ‘A Day at the Races’ was held this past October
and, with over 500 tickets sold, raised over $154,000 – money
that will go right back to industry workers when they need it
most.”
Miller says events like “A Day at the Races,” and so many
others, go a long way to enhancing union awareness. “It wasn’t
all that long ago that people would confuse the IATSE emblem
with that of other organizations,” he states. “Since our IATSE
18 OFFICIAL BULLETIN