IATSE 3rd 2019_web

diction of the IA. On June 13, AQTIS challenged
the Netflix production, claiming it
to be a domestic production falling under
Sector 1 and the jurisdiction of AQTIS.
The International and Locals 514 and
667 were quick to respond and eventually
AQTIS adjourned the matter and has
made no effort to list it for hearing. The
production went ahead as scheduled and
was crewed by the IA and worked under
agreements with Locals 667 and 514.
Conversations between the International
and Netflix continued over
the spring triggered in part by the announcement
that Netflix was becoming
a member of the MPAA. In June of
2019, AQTIS filed an application to raid
the bargaining rights of the IATSE with
respect to all work performed by the
US Studios. On July 2, legal counsel for
Netflix wrote a very helpful letter to the
Quebec Labour Board, which Vice President
Lewis read in part.
Vice President Miller then reported
on the successor agreement for Horizon
Alternative’s low-budget non-dramatic
programming. In May, negotiations were
held in Los Angeles. The large wage increases
negotiated last year for Fremantle’s
low-budget non-dramatic agreement
were used as the new industry standard
and Horizon Alternative’s wage minimums
were dramatically increased and
they are now in line with Fremantle. Finally,
“The Bachelor” and its spin-offs
were moved out of this agreement and are
now covered by the appropriate Majors
Agreements, primarily the Videotape and
Area Standards Agreements. Many of the
crew saw a sizable improvement in their
wages and all saw an increase in their IAP
contributions.
There are currently 442 commercial
signatories, but dozens of new companies
are popping up producing commercials
nonunion, which creates many opportunities
for organizing this work. The IA
Motion Picture Locals continue to face
challenges from non-union competition.
Often, IA members are servicing these
jobs non-union. Not only does this practice
erode terms and conditions, it also
has a direct impact on the funding of the
industry health and pension plans. Members
who qualify for benefits and then
work non-union are being subsidized by
other members. Now is the time to personally
engage IATSE members about the
necessity to flip these jobs union.
The IA and Local 839 concluded negotiations
with the Warner Animation
Group for a successor agreement in May.
The gains in the WAG agreement track
those made previously in the TSL Agreement
with Disney. Both the TSL and
WAG Agreements were ratified by the
Local 839 bargaining unit and are threeyear
deals.
There are twenty-four IATSE term
signatory award show companies with
dozens of single productions executed
each year. The Department has signed
President Loeb with officers and members from the Host
Locals who served as Sergeant-At-Arms for the week.
66 OFFICIAL BULLETIN