by A.J. Catoline
Despite a tsunami warning in Hawaii, more than 1,000 IATSE members gathered in Honolulu for the union’s quadrennial convention to set priorities for the “union behind entertainment.” Representing 170,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada — from film and TV crews to stagehands, animators, and video game designers — delegates met to chart the path ahead.
Fortunately the natural disaster never materialized. But inside the Sheraton Waikiki — chosen in part due to its unionized staff — big waves and good trouble were made in other ways, as delegates united to push for stronger protections and more jobs.
With a motion picture industry that remains sluggish to recover from the work slowdown, after so many IATSE members have lost jobs across the country, the convention’s top priority was clear: support a federal tax incentive to keep film and television production — and post-production — in the United States.
International president Matt Loeb acknowledged the hard times.
“We’ve been through a rough spell,” he said. “We came out of COVID, suffered through industry strikes and the Southern California wildfires. The political environment has never been more difficult. Frankly, the dismantling of progressive politics and policies is affecting all workers in this country,” Loeb said.
Fighting to Keep Jobs in the U.S.
A resolution to engage the IATSE in the fight to get Congress to pass a federal tax incentive was co-sponsored by Locals 600 and 700, and passed both District 2 and the International convention unanimously. National Executive Director Scott George spoke from the floor to commit the Editors Guild to the cause.
“The biggest threat our industry has ever faced is the loss of jobs to overseas competition that has lured film and television production, and post-production, away with aggressive tax incentives and subsidies,” said George. “This resolution is a call to action for all the locals and members to stand and support the fight for a federal tax incentive.”
George pledged to “lock arms with other locals” and added: “I’m speaking on behalf of 8,000 Local 700 members when I say we are all in on this fight. We will put forth whatever resources necessary to achieve a federal tax incentive. This is a fight that has to be made for all our brothers and sisters who work in the industry, along with our families,” George said. The hall rose in applause.
Loeb admitted the road ahead will be tough under the current administration and Republican Congress. He reminded members that President Donald Trump has been openly hostile to trade unions, removed members of the National Labor Relations Board — rendering the body dysfunctional — and suggested workers trying to organize should be fired.
“We have to deal with the people who have the power,” Loeb said. “We will fight for the members, whether it’s a bad employer, a bad politician, or a lack of work due to unfair competition — we have to always fight for them.”
Delegates and Democracy
Not all moments were about policy fights. Loeb honored Local 700’s Sergeant-At-Arms Bill Elias with a President’s Award for his 52 years as a convention delegate. Elias called it the “best convention ever,” adding:
“When I hang this plaque on my wall, it will serve as a reminder of our strong union that made my retirement possible 19 years ago today,” said Elias. “I retired with dignity. I love my Local 700, my District 2, and my IATSE. And I love the delegates that are assembled here today.”
Watch a video of Bill’s Award acceptance speech.
This was the largest IATSE convention ever with 1,001 delegates attending from 355 locals across the USA and Canada. They spent the week in committee meetings, caucuses, educational seminars and general sessions — wearing lanyards decorated with pins and buttons traded among locals.
The Editors Guild pin (designed by Molly Shock, Erik C. Andersen, Secretary Sharon Smith Holley, and myself) displayed the Local 700 logo over a hibiscus flower with the phrase “unions now more than ever.”
MPEG Vice President F. Hudson Miller said the convention’s scale was striking. “You don’t realize how big the union is until you are on the floor of the convention. The IATSE is the largest entertainment union in the world, and it is in our best interest to leverage that power to our advantage,” Miller said.
Delegates also ratified a constitutional amendment giving Area Standards Agreement workers the right to vote on their own contract, negotiated alongside the Basic Agreement every three years.
“This change was huge,” said Hudson Miller. “It’s clear the IATSE is becoming a more democratically controlled union.”
In posts on social media, Some members questioned the cost of sending delegates. Local 700 sent 23 — part of its 84 allotted votes, based on membership. But Board Member Erik C. Andersen argued it was worth it.
“When we send more delegates, we have a larger presence on all the committees,” he said, noting that three Local 700 members served on the Constitution & By-laws Committee.
Of the committee that makes the rules for District 2, Board Member Holly Sklar noted that Local 700’s delegates “brought insight and thoughtfulness to the discussion of how conventions might be made more inclusive in the future for those with disabilities or financial hardship.”
Board Member Shiran Miller agreed: “More delegates means more visibility at our delegation table, and a stronger voice during votes.” That voice was heard loud and clear when Loeb called for the tax incentive vote. Local 700’s “aye” reverberated in the hall, and when the resolution passed unanimously, the table led a standing ovation.
I am a delegate and Local 700 Board member, and I spoke before the vote. “We’re seeing the loss of jobs in production, but also in post-production. Dozens of film and television shows are sending the work of sound editors and picture editors overseas. This resolution will urge all our locals to engage their members, to really get in the game and to please write to your legislators in Congress, call them, show up, take to the streets, keep the pressure on. Let’s go get these tax credits!,” I said.
Shiran Miller noted that so much of the true business of the convention — networking with other locals — happens off the floor. “Sending more delegates allows us to spread out and meet people we otherwise wouldn’t be able to meet,” she added.
National Labor Voices Join the Call
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler warned that anti-union forces would oppose the campaign for tax incentives.
“We’ve seen this movie before — where studio executives and politicians try to divide us,” said Shuler. “They tell us entertainment is in a desperate moment. And then the Paramount CEO walks away with $87 million a year. It ain’t right.”
“We are in a fight to build an entertainment industry that works for all of us. We’re gonna put workers in the front, the people who make the magic happen,” thundered Shuler.
Representative Jill Takuda (D-HI), praised IATSE members as “the unseen hands and the beating hearts of the creative industry and the truth-telling machine of our country. And that is exactly why we are under attack,” said Takuda.
Loeb echoed her call to resist rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“Stand up to racism. Stand up to oppression. Stand up to discrimination,” demanded Loeb, assuring that the IATSE will “remain vocal and active opponents to injustice.”
When the convention convened the following day, a report was presented on the viability of the Motion Picture Health and Pension Plans. First-time delegate Brian Chandler, a picture editor, took to the microphone to thank President Loeb and the MPI Board for extending no-cost COBRA coverage to members during the work slowdown and strikes. He recounted how this program kept him and his wife and family active on the health plan in a time of need.
“As a first-time delegate I was concerned the convention would be little more than a love-fest. I’m happy to report that it’s so much more than that. I have made several key connections and identified some new ways to help our members and I look forward to sharing these ideas when I return,” said Chandler.
The convention wasn’t all speeches. Delegates gathered each evening on the lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to have drinks and watch the sunset, and share stories from their home locals. They also swapped swag and pins. One local gifted a beach bag that included an IATSE towel that several members hung from the balconies of their hotel rooms when they were confined to their rooms during the tsunami warning.
Delegate Experiences and Takeaways
Sarah Reeves, also a first-time delegate, recounted meeting a Honolulu grip from host local 695, who confirmed work in Hawaii was drying up. Even Apple TV+’s “Chief of War” – which takes place on Oahu, Maui and Kauai – filmed partly in New Zealand for the tax benefits.
“I’ll bring home stories of how locals across the U.S. and Canada have struggled,” she said.
A report was presented at the Motion Picture and Television Caucus that laid bare the toll of members not working, which has decreased incoming dues to locals and hourly contributions paid by employers into the health and pension plans.
Board Member Dorian Harris connected with representatives of the charity organization Behind The Scenes, which provides grants to the IATSE to provide mental health services and training to members.
“Many D2 locals have used it during these tough times – from career counseling to suicide prevention,” said Harris, who thinks MPEG could explore offering these programs.
Assistant Editor Isabel Yanes served Local 700 on the Young Workers Committee.
“Other locals shared educational content and resources, and what’s worked to engage new members. I can’t wait to bring those ideas home,” she said.
Loeb also lauded the young workers of the IATSE and selected the youngest delegate in the hall to deliver an invocation.
“Our young workers bring energy, dedication, and intelligence to our efforts and goals,” Loeb said. “They want picket lines, they want to organize new work, support political campaigns, and participate in their local unions. And we stand proud of their accomplishments and look to the future with great hope and confidence.”
Board member Frank Delgado summed up the week: “The energy in the room, and the bonds and relationships made with new and returning delegates was worth it,” said Delgado. “I want to ensure we will take back the headline – solidarity, security, and prosperity – to our fellow members.”
The full Local 700 Delegation to the 70th IATSE Quadrennial Convention was —
Erik C. Andersen, Louis Bertini, Anthony John Catoline, Brian Chandler, Elisa Cohen, Frank Delgado Jr., William Elias, National Executive DIrector Scott M. George, Leah Gunter, Dorian Harris, President Alan Heim, Secretary Sharon Smith Holley, Stephanie Lowry, Vice President F. Hudson Miller, Shiran Amir Miller, Nancy Morrison, Eastern Director Jennifer Myers, Western Director Jessica Pratt, Sarah Reeves, National Executive Director Emerita Catherine A. Repola, Holly Sklar, Staci Vice, Isabel Yanes.
