Hollywood Union Put In Trusteeship Amid “Shakedown” Allegations

www.deadline.com: Allegations of a union “shakedown” and “extortion” in the hallway of a Las Vegas hotel have been leveled against leaders of an IATSE local in New Orleans. The explosive charges, which only now have come to light, were made by IATSE Sound Local 695 business agent Jim Osburn at a hearing shortly before his North Hollywood-based union was placed into trusteeship in February. Osburn’s local was put on trial after leaders of Studio Mechanics Local 478 in Louisiana accused him of obstructing their efforts to collect so-called “assessments” on the wages of out-of-state workers who film in Louisiana. Typically, the local takes a 3% cut of their wages, which is permitted under the IATSE’s constitution and by-laws.