The Official Bulletin - Quarter 2, 2019

IATSE Defense Fund
A
rticle Fourteen, Section 8 of the International Constitution and
ByLaws establishes the IATSE Defense Fund. The Fund exists to
financially assist Locals and the International in organizing and
strengthening the Alliance.
Over the past five years, the Defense
Fund has financially assisted over sixty
local unions and multiple International
projects, totaling over $5.3 million.
The Fund is financed by a portion
of the quarterly per capita paid by each
member to the International, four dollars
($4.00) for all members, except
members of the Special Department
which contribute three dollars ($3.00)
per member. Monies paid to the Defense
Fund are held in a separate account
from the General Fund and are
audited each year by a CPA. The audit
information and a report of the monies
paid out are published in the IATSE
Bulletin.
The Fund is administered by a
committee consisting of the International
President, a Canadian Vice
President and three additional Vice
Presidents. Appointments to the
committee are approved by the General
Executive Board.
To qualify for Defense Fund assistance
a Local must prove one of the following
qualifications:
n Activities and/or legal advice that
are in connection to an authorized
strike or lockout.
n Legal advice and the expenses incurred
during a special organizing
drive.
n Legal advice when dealing with an
unfair or recalcitrant employer.
n Training programs in connection
with any of the above activities.
Defense Fund monies may only
be used for the above activities upon
pre-approval. The most common use
of Defense Fund monies is to pay
legal fees associated with organizing.
However, the Fund also supports lobbying
and consulting work done on
entertainment and pro-worker related
legislation.
One could argue that all employers
are recalcitrant employers. An example
of an approved request for assistance is
where the employer, during the course
of negotiations, is trying to eliminate
or break down the bargaining unit.
Another would be unfair labor practice
charges filed due to a failure to bargain.
A difficult negotiation would not normally
qualify as unfair without specific
circumstances that warrant it such as a
violation of the duty to bargain.
The Fund also finances the International’s
LEAP program, the activities
of the Young Worker’s committee and
various education programs.
Defense Fund monies may not be
used for strike or lockout benefits, unless
approved by the delegates during a
convention.
Assistance requests are not approved
for a wide variety of reasons, an example
being, but not limited to, Local grievances
and arbitration, legal bills in connection
to an NLRB charge, legal bills
associated with referral hall practices or
payroll companies.
To apply for Defense Fund assistance
a Local should send a letter requesting
assistance to the International
President. The letter should be written
on the Local’s letterhead and include
contact information for Local leaders
who can answer questions regarding
the matter at hand. If an International
Representative is working with the
Local and has suggested the request
their name should also be included.
Any supporting documents that may
be helpful in assisting the committee
in their evaluation maybe included but
are not necessary. A request for assistance
is best done as early as possible.
Once approved, the Local will be
advised in writing with further instructions
on how to proceed with payment
and submission of invoices and documentation.
Once a project has concluded
it is the responsibility of the Local to
advise the International of the conclusion
of the matter.
The Defense Fund has been crucial
in large campaigns such as the
Crew One organizing drive, the Save
the MET campaign, and the ongoing
struggles with the Golf Channel. However,
it has also been helpful to smaller
Locals needing assistance as well. Locals
should be encouraged to request assistance
if they feel it is necessary keeping
the above guidelines in mind. For further
information please consult Article
Fourteen, Section 8 of the International
Constitution and ByLaws.
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SECOND QUARTER 2019 17