IATSE_1stQrtr_2018_web

Co-Director Daniel Di Tolla reported
on Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP).
DWP is a festival producer that presents
thirteen multi-day music festivals
throughout the United States, six independently
and seven in partnership with
AEG. Five of the festivals have been done
under contract. The International was
successful on the organizing of Mountain
Productions rigging installation division,
Co-Director Di Tolla reported that the
company installs permanent mounting
systems for lighting and public-address
systems in arenas and stadiums. The
agreement covers those workers traveling
with the company and any local hires they
require. Co-Director Di Tolla reported
on the national agreement with Warner
Brothers to cover projectionists employed
on the 70MM presentation of the movie
“Justice League”. This is the third contract
for 70MM projection executed in the last
year. Finally, Co-Director Di Tolla reported
on his attendance at the Event Safety
Alliance Summit.
Vice President Barnes reported on the
Local 917 contract with five Atlantic City
casinos (Ballys, Caesars, Resorts, Golden
Nugget and Tropicana) expired June 30,
2017. Local 917 has requested International
assistance over the past four negotiating
cycles in 2008, 2011, 2014 and
2017. Each of the past bargaining cycles
had unique challenges including spitting
from a joint representation status with the
Operating Engineers, to Hurricane Sandy
to the closing of five of the Atlantic City’s
twelve casino properties. This bargaining
cycle was ordinary by comparison. Local
917 achieved significant annual wage increases,
improvements in holidays and
quality-of-life conditions. Local 917 overwhelmingly
ratified the deal for Ballys,
Caesars, Resorts and Golden Nugget who
bargained as a group as well as for Tropicana
agreement.
Local 917’s Officers were well prepared
and did an excellent job including
the membership throughout the process.
While the casinos bargained separate
agreements, the Local was successful in
keeping the five casino contracts in line.
Vice President Barnes reported the
agreement between the International and
Tri-State Staging covering the Rehearsal
Hall at Rock Litiz in the jurisdiction of
Local 283 and various locations in Philadelphia
in Local 8’s jurisdiction expired
September 30, 2017. To prepare for bargaining,
they visited the crew working
at Rock Litiz in Litiz, Pennsylvania. The
crew through their self-appointed bargaining
committee submitted their proposals
to the Employer, Tri-State Staging.
The agreement was approved by the
General Executive Board. In summary,
the crew will receive yearly increases, increased
minimum calls improvements in
overtime and staffing language.
This agreement has been a tremendous
success and has firmly established
an IATSE presence in what has become
the epicenter of rock-and-roll production
in the country. The wage and condition
improvements will enhance the existing
agreement significantly.
Vice President Lewis reported on the
Stagecraft activities in Canada. These
include concluding negotiations for new
contracts with PDK, a labor provider in
Southern Ontario, and thirteen of the
sixteen employers signatory to the Canadian
pink contract. He also reported on
the Canadian office’s efforts to catalog all
local union contracts and local unions’ involvement
in training and activism.
President Loeb observed that the
report was extremely extensive but is a
mere snap-shot of the Department’s jurisdiction.
He complimented Local 51 for
the steps it is taking to shore-up and to
secure jurisdiction in the 4th largest city
in the United States, remarking that Local
51 must continue to organize its jurisdiction
in order to ensure its rightful place
as the entertainment union in greater
Houston. President Loeb charged every
stagecraft Local to take on non-union
labor providers in their jurisdiction. He
stated bluntly that doing nothing is not
an option. Local unions should immediately
contact the Stagecraft Department
for assistance in organizing—internally
(e.g. COMET Training, “Why Unions Still
Matter”, etc.) and externally (non-union
labor providers, non-union venues, etc.)
The International will coordinate organizing
efforts; but local unions must reach
out to the Department. President Loeb
charged the stagecraft Locals in Canada
and the United States with organizing
their jurisdictions which will expand
and strengthen their imprint. He challenged
every stagecraft Local to organize
as many non-union employers as they
identify over the next four years, remarking
that he looks forward to hearing such
reports at upcoming GEB meetings. He
concluded by crediting the efforts of the
Department.
IATSE MOTION PICTURE AND
TELEVISION PRODUCTION
DEPARTMENT
International Vice President and
Motion Picture and Television Production
Department Director Michael F.
26 OFFICIAL BULLETIN