You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION PRODUCTION<br />
Organizing: Behind the Scenes<br />
T<br />
his past October, Mustang, a five million dollar independent feature shooting in Carson City,<br />
Nevada, was successfully organized and its crew went from sub-standard working conditions<br />
and zero benefits to receiving, among many other improved working conditions, idle day pay,<br />
better double and even triple overtime, 10 hour daily and weekend turnaround, healthy meal penalties,<br />
and full benefits.<br />
WWW.<strong>IATSE</strong>.NET<br />
These stories happen every month<br />
around the country, with movies, reality<br />
shows, commercials, new media<br />
projects, music videos and other types<br />
of entertainment coming under contract.<br />
Sometimes a strike is necessary,<br />
as was the case on Mustang, but oftentimes<br />
just a phone call to production is<br />
enough to persuade the company to do<br />
the right thing.<br />
To organize a project, the <strong>IATSE</strong>,<br />
Locals and crew follow a standard series<br />
of steps to engineer for success. How<br />
can you help? First, your union representatives<br />
need to know that you’ve<br />
been hired on a non-union production.<br />
It’s crucial that members let their<br />
BA’s know when they’ve booked a nonunion<br />
job. The Business Agents will<br />
want to know what type of project it<br />
is, estimated budget, shooting schedule,<br />
your hourly wage, any subcontracts<br />
you’re aware of and who else has been<br />
hired. The International will be brought<br />
into the process and will coordinate<br />
with the various Locals to reach out to<br />
the crew, and consider when is best to<br />
make contact with the Producer, and in<br />
what fashion. Be aware that the identity<br />
of those who provide information is<br />
kept confidential; the Locals and IA are<br />
very sensitive about the need to protect<br />
workers anonymity.<br />
So what happens after the BA’s<br />
and <strong>IATSE</strong> representatives have spoken<br />
with the crew and it’s obvious that<br />
the vast majority want the protections<br />
and benefits of an agreement? Now is<br />
the time to fill out a union representation<br />
authorization card, which can be<br />
signed online if it’s difficult to meet<br />
face to face. Your BA can supply you<br />
with either the card in person or send<br />
you a link. With your signature, you’re<br />
agreeing to have the <strong>IATSE</strong> represent<br />
you and bargain the contract on your<br />
behalf. Collecting these cards is part of<br />
the process related to organizing in the<br />
United States. Signing and returning an<br />
authorization card is part of your duty<br />
as a union member.<br />
Once we have established that we<br />
represent the crew, the <strong>IATSE</strong> will most<br />
often call production. The Locals and<br />
IA will be ready to arrive on set if the<br />
company does not agree to negotiate<br />
a contract including all the <strong>IATSE</strong><br />
covered crafts. If a strike is necessary<br />
to “motivate” the producers, it is very<br />
important to honor the picket line, and<br />
follow the lead of your Business Agent<br />
and International representatives. Continuing<br />
to work during a strike may<br />
lead to discipline, fines or expulsion<br />
from the Union. Our strength is in our<br />
resolve to stand together and withhold<br />
our skills from unscrupulous employers.<br />
When we fight as one, we win, but<br />
if you cross a picket line, you are undermining<br />
your co-workers and weakening<br />
the power of the Union to negotiate a<br />
strong agreement.<br />
When production agrees to negotiate,<br />
the <strong>IATSE</strong> and Local representatives<br />
will sit down with the company. During<br />
negotiations the parties bargain over<br />
the details of the contract.<br />
Once a deal is reached, and the<br />
crew is briefed on the details, it’s back<br />
to work! Not only have you helped provide<br />
more benefits and money for yourself,<br />
you’ve sent a strong message to the<br />
Industry: this is a union business and<br />
non-union projects will not be allowed<br />
to proliferate.<br />
Vigilant, ongoing organizing is the<br />
lifeblood of a healthy union, healthy<br />
industry, and healthy workers. Report<br />
your non-union work!<br />
42 OFFICIAL BULLETIN