IATSE-2nd2018_web

STRENGTHENING IATSE FROM WITHIN
Throughout the 1990s and continuing past the millennium, IATSE leaders took a series of strong steps to strengthen the
Alliance’s internal operations to more effectively and efficiently serve and advocate for the interests of members. Most of
these changes were substantive, but one was cosmetic.
Delegates to the 1998 Convention officially changed the Alliance’s
name to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes,
5 Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of
the United States, its Territories and Canada. While keeping the
same IATSE acronym, this better reflected the full range of Alliance
members and their crafts.
SAFETY FIRST
Every IATSE member’s craft poses potential safety issues.
Hazards ranging from slips, trips and falls to electrocution often
loom in theaters, television studios and motion picture production
sets alike. And a top priority for Alliance has always been
protecting members’ safety and health.
That’s why the General Executive Board established the
IATSE National Safety Committee in 1997 and why, one year
later, the Official Bulletin launched “The Safety Zone,” a regular
feature on the subject the continues to this day.
“The Safety Zone” has openly addressed some of the tragedies
that have befallen members and how they could have been
averted. While hindsight is always 20/20 and discussion on prevention
is sometimes difficult, these articles stirred up interest
around the country in starting Local Union Safety Committees.
For example, when the efforts of one local union to start a Safety
Certification Program for its members who work on platforms
was reported, other Locals reached out to get information about
they could start their own programs.
On the East Coast, the Committee held joint discussions
with twenty entertainment industry labor organizations, including
seventeen IA local unions, Actors Equity, Musicians Local
802 and the Directors Guild of America.
On the West Coast, the Industry-Wide Labor-Management
Safety Committee was established for members employed in the
motion picture and television production industries.
Together, Locals have worked hand in hand with employer
representatives to produce periodic Safety Bulletins that serve
as guidelines for creating safe work environments for all union
members employed throughout the industry. The Committees
have met once a month and are charged with the responsibility
of continuously drafting new safety bulletins and revising those
that need to be updated due to changes in OSHA standards or
the law.
Since 1998, the Industry-Wide Safety Committee has participated
in the “Passport Safety Training Program.” Administered
by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the National Safety
Council, the program was created as a means of addressing
OSHA requirements that employees not only be trained in the
safe use of equipment and work practices, but also have their
training documented. The program’s general safety instructors
are all certified to teach industrial safety, and all craft-specific
instructors are experienced industry professionals. Upon completion
of the introductory General Safety Passport course, individuals
receive a “safety passport” in which their training is
recorded.
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The two organizations merged in 1982 and became the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
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