IATSE 3rd 2019_web

He also noted that the Local has shored
up support from labor colleagues and
politicians for any fights it might have
regarding unionizing and representing
workers. President Loeb added that the
Local maintained terms, conditions, and
received an outstanding agreement.
APPEARANCE:
LOCAL NO. 311, MIDDLE-
TOWN, NEWBURGH, KINGS-
TON, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
Re: Merger with Local 499 and PRG
Scenic Technologies
Local 311 President, Chad Phillips,
appeared before the Board to provide
a report about the Local’s recent voluntary
merger with Local 499 as well as the
recent contract negotiations with PRG
Scenic Technologies.
In early 2018, the Executive Boards of
Local 311 and Local 499 had discussions
about voluntarily merging the two Locals.
The respective officers met to discuss
the merits of such a merger. The discussions
were generally positive and productive.
Both Executive Boards believed that
greater strength and better representation
for the membership of both Locals
could be achieved by voluntarily merging.
While these two Locals had neighboring
jurisdictions, which would form a logical
merged union, the respective officers
were nonetheless deliberate during their
respective discussions and approaches
to the potential merger. Therefore, both
Locals wrote to President Loeb to request
assistance in exploring their possible
merger discussions after continuing
to become optimistic about doing
so. Vice President Di Tolla was assigned
to investigate the matter. Ultimately, the
Locals prepared a joint resolution and the
members of the Locals voted in favor of
the merger. Pursuant to Article Eighteen,
Section 13 of the International Constitution,
President Loeb endorsed the members’
ratification of the respective Executive
Boards’ merger agreement. As a result
of the merger, which became effective
January 1, 2019, Local 311’s expanded
territorial jurisdiction now includes the
following New York locales: Middletown,
Newburgh, Kingston, and Poughkeepsie.
Brother Phillips thanked all those
involved in the successful and voluntary
combination of Locals 311 and 499.
The report also detailed negotiations
with PRG Scenic Technologies. It was
noted that the PRG Scenic Technologies
facility in Local 311’s upstate New
York jurisdiction employs a significant
number of the members of the Local. Approximately
one hour north of New York
City, the company’s facility in New Windsor,
NY houses manufacturing facilities
for fabricating scenery, machinery, and
automated effects equipment. The same
company operates similar facilities in
other U.S. markets, including Los Angeles
and Las Vegas. PRG is well-known to the
IATSE and its Locals.
Despite having a long-standing relationship
at PRG’s New Windsor location,
Local 311 recently encountered difficulties
in this facility, which led to grievances and
unfair labor practice charges being filed
with the National Labor Relations Board.
In anticipation of its most recent renewal
contract negotiations, Local 311 requested
assistance from the International and Vice
President Claffey was assigned to aid the
Local in its efforts to achieve a new agreement.
It was noted that Local 311 also
requested Defense Fund assistance in
connection with these negotiations given
this company’s recent approaches to its
labor relations, and such assistance was
granted in accordance with the company’s
status. The Local’s predecessor contract
expired on December 31, 2018 and after
numerous bargaining sessions, a final deal
was tentatively reached. The successor
contract, which will provide year-overyear
economic benefits for the members
of Local 311, was ratified by the Local’s
members on March 19, 2019. The report
described the new contract, which will
provide economic increases for members
of the Local 311 bargaining unit during
the contract’s term. Local 311 President
Phillips expressed his gratitude to the
Board, President Loeb, General Secretary-
Treasurer Wood and especially Vice President
Claffey who was instrumental in the
negotiations. It was also noted that, under
the special circumstances created by this
company’s approach, the Local’s negotiations
necessitated Defense Fund assistance,
which provided indispensable help
from the Local’s attorney.
President Loeb remarked that he approved
the merger agreement because it
was overwhelmingly supported by the
membership and both Locals recognized
the benefits. He stated further that the
Local will continue to receive the support
that it needs with negotiations and
commended the efforts of Vice President
Claffey and Local 311’s leadership for
their efforts.
APPEARANCE:
LOCAL NOS. 479 & 491, STATE
OF GEORGIA (EXCEPT
SAVANNAH AND VICINITY)
& STATES OF NORTH AND
SOUTH CAROLINA (AND
SAVANNAH, GA)
Andrew Oyaas, Secretary-Treasurer
of Local 491 and Michael Akins, Business
THIRD QUARTER 2019 51