IATSE-2nd2018_web

CENTENNIAL
In July 1993, the IATSE commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of our great union with a grand Centennial Convention
in New York City. There was much to celebrate. The Alliance’s membership had reached the 74,000 mark. The merger of
NABET Locals 15 and 531 was completed, adding to IATSE’s breadth and market strength.
The National Industrial Agreement had been signed,
providing exhibition workers all across the U.S. with uniform
protection of their wages, working conditions and benefits.
The Alliance was one of the few unions growing at that
time — and the membership was doing well. The IATSE
pension fund gave participants a 6.71 percent increase just one
month earlier. Wages were also on the rise. The Pink Contract
was in a continual process of being expanded to lower-budget
productions, which was simultaneously raising living standards
for stagehands and increasing membership in the Alliance. And
the growth in membership working on TV specials and awards
shows was continuing apace.
On this special occasion, IATSE received substantial outside
accolades for its achievements. International President Alfred
W. Di Tolla was presented with the American Theatre Wing’s
Antoinette Perry “Tony” Award. The Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences, the League of American Theatres
and Producers also issued honorary awards to the Alliance
for its immeasurable contributions to the entertainment
industries.
There were other positive developments to celebrate, too. The
Alliance had just organized the first sports broadcast contract
covering employees working for National Mobile Television,
the largest supplier of remote broadcast production trucks
in the country. Workers joined Locals 600, 695, 700, 800 and
871, performing work for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles
Clippers, Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Anaheim
Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.
Employment in the motion picture and television area was
also expanding. In 1993, production was largely centered in
major cities, but the trend to filming on location was growing,
and with it, organizing opportunities. After several new
Studio Mechanics Locals were chartered under International
President Di Tolla in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the
International began to assist these local unions with vigorous
organizing efforts.
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