IATSE_1stQrtr_2018_web

President Loeb remarked that it is
gratifying to know the Local appreciates
the benefits of organizing. He extended
his congratulations to Local leadership
and members for shoring up their jurisdiction.
Finally, he commended Vice
President Carlson for a job well done.
LOCAL NO. 871, HOLLYWOOD,
CALIFORNIA
Re: Certified Bargaining
Representative
International Vice President and
Motion Picture and Television Production
Department Director Michael F.
Miller, Jr., Assistant Motion Picture Director
Vanessa Holtgrewe, Associate West
Coast Counsel Jacob J. White, Local 871
Business Agent Leslie Simon, and Assistant
Business Agent Heidi Nakamura, as
well as various new members of Local
871, reported to the General Executive
Board regarding the organizing of more
than 400 new members for Local 871.
Vice President Miller provided a
broad overview of the process that led
to the Script Coordinators and Writers
Room Assistants coming under the IATSE
umbrella. Business Agent Simon discussed
the actual grassroots campaign
which began over a year ago and the response
was overwhelming.
Forming a negotiating committee,
the group defined their core goals:
raising wages, gaining steady Motion
Picture Industry Pension and Health
Plan (MPIPHP) benefits, addressing unscheduled
weekend work, and, in general,
having representation like everyone else
in the writers’ room.
Vice President Miller provided a detailed
account of the negotiations, which
were held in Los Angeles this past November.
Although the union’s proposals were
realistic and cored down to address the
most important issues for this bargaining
unit, the negotiations were difficult.
Throughout negotiations, Vice President
Miller and Business Agent Simon were
clear: these workers were due a raise, and
must be supplied with healthcare coverage
and a pension. Vice President Miller
also noted that, while the negotiations
were difficult, the employers took the
issues seriously and worked diligently to
come to a mutually acceptable agreement.
After negotiations, the IATSE and
Local 871 had achieved the majority of
the unit’s priorities. MPI healthcare and
other benefits, increased wages, and improvements
in working conditions were
all achieved.
The recently bargained agreement
was overwhelmingly ratified by the new
unit.
In conclusion, Vice President Miller
noted that the IATSE and Local 871 are
now stronger by more than 400 new
members, and these workers will see
important gains, not only through their
paychecks, and healthcare and retirement
savings, but also through their ability to
finally speak with one voice.
President Loeb thanked all of the
new members that attended this presentation
to the Board and welcomed them
to the IATSE. Organizing drives are about
courage. This unit, comprised of many
young people, had the vision and solidarity
necessary to win. Without their
strength, solidarity, and courage, this
success would not have been possible.
As the epitome of the IATSE’s focus on
“growth = strength”, this organizing drive
will increase the membership of the Local
by approximately 20%.
In a special ceremony after the report,
the new members of Local 871 were sworn
President Loeb gives the Oath to new members of Local 871. From left to
right, President Loeb, Elysse Applebaum, Cole Fowler, Jeremy Powell, Debbie
Ezer, Jessica Kivnik, and Aaron Wiener. Congratulations and welcome!
62 OFFICIAL BULLETIN