Getting Organized

These young people, at least those who do manage to find a way into this crazy business, are the future of this Guild.

The EFCA isn’t going to cure all that ails us, but such a law would give unions better tools to fight for fair wages and better working conditions.

If you’re working on distant location and the picture hires editorial personnel locally, please make sure to call it in to the Guild so we can make proper arrangements for our new members.

While this fight has proven difficult and remains incomplete, there are encouraging lessons to take away from this job action as well.

Flyers (or websites or e-mails) don’t really organize anybody. The actual act of organizing, is a face-to-face thing.

The history of Local 683 is one of very active involvement by the rank and file membership.

In such conflicts, we must make a choice:  Either stand together with our co-workers, or side with the employers out to undermine them. 

Anti-union zealots attempt to arouse jealousy and to pit one group of employees against another.  It’s a distraction from the fact that we’re all in the same boat…and that boat is sinking. 

Keeping the Guild in the dark about whom they employ and otherwise thwarting communication amongst their employees are some of the more effective ways a non-union employer can prevent its employees from organizing.

Fremantle is a large enough player that its going union will help to raise the bar for other employers.