Celebrating Black History Month

IATSE: As we observe Black History Month, we reaffirm a simple truth: Black history is American history! The story of our nation and of the labor movement cannot be told without the contributions, sacrifices, and leadership of Black workers who fought to expand opportunity, dignity, and democracy for all.

Production Workers at Arena Stage Vote to Join IATSE

IATSE: Approximately 80 backstage production workers at Arena Stage, one of the nation’s leading regional theaters, have voted to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). In a National Labor Relations Board election, workers voted overwhelmingly for union representation, with over 85% of ballots cast in favor.

IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb Reports to the 70th Convention

IATSE: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

Dejon Ellis Jr. Wins Close Vote to Lead IATSE Local 80

Variety: Dejon Ellis, Jr., won a close vote on Sunday to take over as interim leader of IATSE Local 80, in an election marked by lingering hard feelings over last year’s contract negotiations.

IATSE Area Standards Agreement: Tentative Deal Reached

The Hollywood Reporter: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and studios have agreed to a new tentative three-year Theatrical and Television Motion Picture Area Standards Agreement deal following the Oct. 16 tentative agreement reached for workers covered under the union’s Basic Agreement that averted a major strike.

IATSE Weekly Newsletter 3/12/2021

IATSE Cares: IATSE sisters, brothers, and kin — like so many across this country — have endured far too much over the last year. The American Rescue Plan Act will reduce suffering for those most impacted and put our members closer to getting back to the careers they love. We said from the beginning that the severity of this health crisis demands decisive action from our federal government. Saying this shouldn’t be a partisan statement.

IATSE Lauds House Passage of American Rescue Plan Act, Urges Swift Senate Action

IATSE Cares: Early this morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan Act, the first step in providing comprehensive COVID-19 relief to behind-the-scenes entertainment workers still reeling from the pandemic. The bill passed largely along party-lines, with all but two House Democrats voting in favor and all House Republicans in opposition. IATSE lauds House passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, which contains vital assistance for our members and all Americans.

Local 665 President Tuia'ana Scanlan's Road to IATSE and Talks the Importance of Representation On and Off Screen

IATSE Cares: In the quiet town of Orange, California, Tuia’ana Scanlan was a creative zealous college student majoring in Theatre at Chapman University. As his final undergraduate year approached, Scanlan says he began pondering on his job placement after college. While still in college, Scanlan worked at the theatre shop on campus and says his friend Craig Brown, a faculty member and mentor, asked him if he had ever thought about considering a career as a stagehand.

Member Perspectives: Richard Montgomery Shares His IATSE Journey and Speaks on Being a Black Male President for Local B-29

https://iatsecares.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RMLoeb.png IATSE Cares: “I enjoy advocating for all union members. Protecting rights and building a secure future for the membership is my passion”, says Front of House Workers Union IATSE Local B-29 President Richard Montgomery.

Election Statement from the IATSE Pride Committee

IATSE Cares: As members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are proudly voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for President and Vice President. The past four years under Trump and Pence have been disastrous for our community and we need real leaders like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to move our country into a more accepting and inclusive place.

Nike meets a Local 476 picket line in Chicago

Reel Chicago - At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production: The members of Chicago Local 476 have become very diligent and resourceful at uncovering those who come “to exploit our city.” It’s a bit of a team effort to protect the opportunities, wages, and benefits of its members, and part of a recent campaign that Local 476 President, Bradley Matthys says is working well.

Hollywood Unions announce COVID-19 Testing and Protocols Adopted with the AMPTP to Allow Production to Resume Safely

IATSE Cares: The agreement is the outcome of unprecedented coordination and solidarity between the Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Basic Crafts, and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). This group worked with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for months to develop science-based protocols to minimize the risk of transmission, designed with the unique work environments of film and television production in mind.

The DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Teamsters and the Basic Crafts Announce COVID-19 Testing and Protocols Adopted with the AMPTP to Allow Production to Resume Safely

IATSE Labor Union, representing the technicians, artisans and craftpersons in the entertainment industry: The unions representing casts and crews today announced they have reached an agreement with the major studios on protocols to allow the industry to safely re-open. The protocols pave the way for creative workers, who have been hard hit by the pandemic, to resume their crafts and livelihoods in workplaces redesigned around their health. Guiding principles include strictly enforced testing regimens and safety protocols, a zone-based system, and diligent use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

A Union Works To Make TV Production Safe On Maui

Opinion | Honolulu, HI Patch: We are IATSE Local 665. Our union represents local film and television technicians, live-event specialists, and trade show and convention workers.

You've probably seen our work, but you may not have seen us. Working behind-the-scenes, the saying goes, "If you can see a camera pointing at you, you're in the wrong place."

IATSE RESPONSE & STATEMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT LOEB OPPOSING “HEALS” ACT

IATSE Cares: When Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in late-March – providing temporary economic relief for entertainment workers – it was already clear that subsequent COVID-19 legislation would be required in short order to address substantial issues that working people continue to face as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Stage Union Releases COVID Safety Guidelines For Broadway Return

Deadline: Theatrical stage union IATSE has issued a 27-page set of safety guidelines for the still-to-be-determined reopening of Broadway and other live performance venues, with recommendations including the employment of COVID-19 “compliance officers,” paid sick leave and diagnostic testing of workers.

IATSE Members File Class Action Suit Over Health Care Cutoff

Variety: Two members of the International Cinematographers Guild have filed a class action suit alleging they were wrongfully dropped from their health insurance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Greg Endries and Dee Nichols brought the federal suit against the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans, which provide no-cost health coverage to below-the-line workers who qualify.

IATSE Leaders, Acknowledging Union’s Own Role In Perpetuating “Systemic Racism” In Legit Theater, Call For Industrywide Action

Deadline: Leaders of IATSE, which represents thousands of theatrical stage workers across the country, today acknowledged the union’s role in failing to upend “systemic racism in the arts and entertainment industry.” Calling for industrywide action, they vowed to do the “hard work” needed to “create real, lasting change.”

Wealthy stars can weather Hollywood’s coronavirus shutdown. For crew members, it’s a much different story.

The Washington Post: Heather Fink got her big break just as the coronavirus outbreak began to ramp up across the United States. The independent film director, who works more consistently as a sound utility and boom operator, was hired to make her second feature after three months of disability leave for a work-related knee injury. She was set to travel to Oklahoma on Monday to begin the preproduction stage.

IATSE Facilitates 80,000 Letters to Congress in Campaign to Support Displaced Entertainment Workers

Lighting&Sound America Online - News:
IATSE announced Wednesday that members and allies have sent over 80,000 letters over two days to Congress urging lawmakers to include displaced entertainment workers in a federal aid package. A related letter drafted by congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28) is being circulated on Capitol Hill and has an ever-growing list of congressional supporters.