IATSE_1stQrtr_2018_web

productions exceeded their budget tiers.
Representative Aredas also reported
that productions are self-reporting that
they have exceeded the applicable budget
caps of the Low Budget Theatrical Agreement
and are in the process of making the
required retroactive wage adjustments.
Representative Aredas also reported
that commercial production continues to
be strong throughout the United States,
providing ample work opportunities for
IATSE members. Currently, there are 384
IATSE commercial signatories. Four new
companies have been organized over the
past six months. A notable example was a
large four-day commercial filming in Los
Angeles with a crew of 40. After an hourlong
strike, the Company signed the Independent
Commercial Agreement.
Representative Aredas then discussed
recent efforts to enforce the provisions of
the Commercial Production Agreement.
In Washington state, Local 488 alerted
the International to a large Washington
State Lottery commercial being filmed by
a non-union company which turned out
to be a shell company for a signatory employer.
A grievance was filed and, in the
end, the company agreed to settle for a
signatory monetary amount.
In June, the IATSE filed an unfair labor
practice charge with the NLRB against a
company that was double-breasting by
shooting non-Union commercials in New
York and Los Angeles using an alter ego
production company. Almost immediately
after the charge was filed, the signatory
company reached out to negotiate a
settlement. As a result of this effort, tens
of thousands of dollars in wages and benefits
will be paid to the IATSE members
that worked on these commercials.
Vice President Miller reported on
the on-going dispute with the AICP concerning
coverage of Production Office
Coordinators and Assistant Production
Office Coordinators in commercial production.
The International and Local
871 have filed grievances against numerous
commercial producers, alleging
that they are in violation of Appendix D
of the Commercial Production Agreement.
After negotiations with the AICP,
the IATSE determined that we would
arbitrate two of the grievances, against
Biscuit Filmworks and Radical Media,
and hold the others in abeyance. The
employers have continuously delayed
the arbitration process by rejecting proposed
dates, requesting continuances,
and other tactics. Two days of arbitration
have been completed in the Biscuit
hearing, with President Loeb testifying
on the first day, and the parties are
scheduled to begin the Radical hearing
at the end of February.
Vice President Miller then reported
on a resurgence in music video production.
The IATSE has signed several new
Music Video Production Agreement signatories
in the past year.
Vice President Miller next reported on
the status of the major IA motion picture
and television agreements. The Basic
Agreement bargaining schedule has been
confirmed and will commence in March.
The West Coast Studio Locals and the IA
have held regular meetings in preparation
for negotiations and the IATSE is currently
reviewing and compiling the final
proposals.
The Area Standards Agreement
expires at the same time as the Basic
Agreement and those negotiations have
been scheduled for Los Angeles in April.
Proposals have been submitted by the
Locals and are in the process of being finalized.
The affected Locals met this week
with President Loeb and the MPTV Department
to discuss the priorities and approach
for these negotiations.
In conclusion, Vice President Miller
recognized the hard work of the MPTV
Department and all of the affected Locals.
He noted that there has been record levels
of employment as the motion picture and
television industry continues to create
more content than ever before. All of
the Locals with motion picture and television
jurisdiction have been directly or
indirectly impacted by this content boom.
Recognizing that as a result of our recent
Convention “Growth Equals Strength”,
each Local has stepped up to address the
challenges that the current environment
provides.
President Loeb thanked the Department
for its report. He recognized Vice
President Miller for his work running the
Department, and credited the Locals for
working well with the Department. The
antidote to any on-going issues in the industry
is to organize and bargain strong
contracts.
IATSE TRADESHOW
AND DISPLAY WORK
DEPARTMENT
International Vice President and
Tradeshow Department Director William
E. Gearns, Jr. along with International
Vice President C. Faye Harper, International
Trustee Carlos Cota, and International
Representatives Mark Kiracofe,
Donald Gandolini, Joanne Sanders, John
Gorey and Jim Brett provided the following
update of Departmental activities
30 OFFICIAL BULLETIN