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EXCLUSIVE: The countdown officially began this morning in what could be one of the biggest union actions in Hollywood history.
Tens of thousands of IATSE members woke up early Friday or were already about to prepare when they received an email with a link to their strike authorization bulletin.
Seeking to shut down studios and producers’ AMPTP reps on a Def Con 2-wide review after talks over a new contract fell silent on the other side a few weeks ago, the Base of 13 below the line across the west coast and others across the country are urged to give their leaders the ability to exercise their power where their picket line is when needed.
Once connected to the link provided in this morning’s email, a very simple question is asked of members: “Do you allow the international president of IATSE to call a strike against the producers covered by the agreement on basic standards / zone? ” (Yes No).
After months of negotiations with AMPTP led by Carol Lombardini, IATSE led by Matt Loeb calls the situation a pretty clear choice, both professionally and personally.
“Our members deserve respect,” Loeb said in a separate email sent Friday morning along with the voting email. “Not only because we are the most talented and creative technicians and artisans in the world, but also because we are human beings with basic human needs,” continued the union boss. “We need breaks during the working day, sleep, food, a safe ride home and some time with family or away from work,” he added. .
“The demands of the industry must be balanced with the health and well-being of its members,” Loeb continued in language that implies some of the new perspective that many Americans have embraced over the past 18 months. of the Covid-19 crisis. “The changes we’re looking for are small and manageable. What we are looking for is simply fairness. (Read the full letter from IATSE International President Matt Loeb below)
The desire for these self-proclaimed modest changes has drawn wide support among many Hollywood stars, Congressmen and more, putting additional pressure on studios, streamers and networks.
“AMPTP has failed to work with us to resolve the most serious issues in their workplace,” the union said. As the industry recovers from last year’s lockdowns and pandemic closures, these contentious issues include “excessively dangerous and harmful working hours; unlivable wages for the lowest paid artisans; constant failure to provide reasonable rest during meal breaks, between workdays and weekends, and “workers on some ‘new media’ streaming projects are paid less, even on productions with rival budgets or exceed those of traditional blockbusters. “
By potentially ending most productions in the United States and to some extent in Canada if the IATSE gets the clearance (they will) and calls a strike, the vote will continue among the 60,000 members of the guild until 9:00 p.m. on October 3. A result is expected from the union shortly thereafter, with the only real question probably being to what extent the 75% of ballots required for IATSE authorization will be exceeded.
That said, a strike, if any, would not affect premium cable productions, at least not immediately. As Deadline reported on September 24, the IATSE pay-TV deal with HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax does not expire until December 31, 2022, so teams working on those shows could continue to work. . Additionally, those working on low-budget commercials, music videos and feature films, which are also governed by contracts that remain in effect until the end of next year, could continue to work.
In virtual town halls and other communications with members over the past two weeks, IATSE has made it clear who can and cannot work, and the repercussions or lack thereof. “If you’re working on commercials or for HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, BET or some other company that has a contract still in place, you have to keep working,” the union said. “You won’t be a itch!”
With the vote set to end on Sunday, Loeb and the union’s bargaining committee, armed with strike permission, are expected to return to the bargaining table with management’s AMPTP for one last chance to succeed. to a deal to avoid the union’s first-ever industry-wide strike. .
For those of you who love math, here’s how the numbers work in terms of this weekend’s leave vote.
IATSE has an electoral college style voting system. For one of its locals to pass strike authorization, at least 75% of voters must vote “Yes” in favor of strike authorization. The votes of the delegates of a local will reflect the votes of the members. A local with 1,000 votes returned would need 750 “Yes” votes to support the strike authorization. If the local does not meet this threshold, all votes of delegates from that local will be counted as “No”. A simple majority of the votes of the delegates in the bargaining unit determines the outcome.
To be clear, there are actually two separate strike authorization votes – one among the union’s 13 Hollywood production locals covered by the Basic Agreement, and the other covering 23 different locals outside. of Los Angeles who work under the Regional Standards Agreement.
We will know in just under 60 hours how unified the union is in what could be a seismic change in how Hollywood actually works.
In the meantime, read this morning’s letter from IATSE chief Matt Loeb to members here:
Dear sisters, brother and parent,
We have been negotiating since May 2021 but the producers think they have done enough and refuse to respond to our latest proposal.
While some progress has been made, producers have not responded significantly to our core priorities. We are holding a strike authorization vote to show them that we are united in our convictions and that further improvements in our pay and working conditions are needed.
Why did the producers not respond to our requests? Because there is no good argument for not giving workers rest and lunch breaks. There is no good argument for asking people to work full time without paying them enough to make ends meet. They cannot pretend with a straight face that new media is still ‘new’.
Our members deserve respect. Not only because they are the most talented and creative technicians and artisans in the world, but because we are human beings with basic human needs. We need breaks during the work day, sleep, food, a safe ride home, and some time with family or away from work.
The demands of the industry must be balanced with the health and well-being of its members. The changes we are looking for are small and manageable. What we are looking for is simply fairness.
We must now show that we are united with a vision towards a better life for our members; that the basic things we demand are well-deserved rights to which all works are entitled. Stability in the industry stems from a fair contract that respects our workers. Period.
I urge you in the strongest terms to vote YES to the strike authorization. Be united. We are strong.
In solidarity,
Matthew D. Loeb
IATSE, International President
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