by A.J. Catoline
With an entertainment industry slowly trying to regain its footing, and many union members still unemployed, the message at Local 700’s General Membership Meeting was clear: the Guild is stepping more forcefully into the political arena — not as an abstract exercise in advocacy, but as a direct strategy to put members back to work and protect them on the job.
From the stage of the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood on February 21, newly elected President F. Hudson Miller, MPSE framed the moment as both urgent and defining. He laid out a governing philosophy distilled into a single rallying cry: “ONE ALL.”
It stands for the fundamental missions of a trade union — Organize. Negotiate. Enforce. Advocate. Legislate. Learn.
Miller reflected the sobering truth that “our members are facing unemployment, economic uncertainty, and are being forced out of careers.”
“Solving this crisis requires that we acknowledge these problems and work systematically to fight back with one voice for all our members,” he said.
While the meeting covered a wide range of Guild business, much of the discussion centered on the first “L” in ONE ALL — Legislate.
Among more than 300 members watching in person and online, the struggles of the last couple years have laid bare the reality that the most pressing employment issues — like threats from artificial intelligence or the decline in jobs here at home — demand public policy solutions; they can’t be addressed at the bargaining table alone.
Political engagement at both the federal and state level has become inseparable from the Guild’s core mission: securing work opportunities and upholding contractual rights.
Federal Tax Incentives
National Executive Director Scott M. George briefed members on IATSE’s push for a federal tax incentive designed to keep film, television, and post-production jobs in the United States. Facing both runaway production and post-production, the International’s strategy is straightforward: counter the lure of foreign incentives and lower wages overseas and make the U.S. competitive enough that studios keep jobs here — and under union agreements.
Last week, International President Matt Loeb was seen on Capitol Hill meeting with several Senators and Representatives, including Jon Voight, a member of the so-called “Hollywood Ambassadors” representing the Trump administration.
“It’s imperative that a federal tax incentive is established to level the playing field,” said George. “The International and other guild leaders are actively trying to secure support for a bipartisan bill. It’s crucial for the future of the motion picture industry. Discussions are ongoing in D.C., and we are prepared to engage our membership to support this.”
A video presentation underscored the role of the IATSE Political Action Committee in advancing that effort. Because unions are prohibited by law from making direct contributions to political candidates, the IA PAC ensures that members’ voices remain part of the legislative conversation.
“Member donations to the IA PAC keep our voices at the political table, a table that is now more important than at any time in our history,” said Miller. “And if we are not at the table, we are on the menu.”
“Our contributions have the potential to inform the political institutions that affect our rights to organize, our union, our careers, and the lives and prosperity of our families,” continued Miller.
In making the pitch, Miller recognized that times are tough. He stressed that this was not an ask of those who can’t afford to contribute. Instead, he encouraged those who are working that “a donation of ten or twenty dollars a month can make a big difference. For the price of a couple of lattes, you help bring the voice of all your union kin to the legislative table,” he said.
Miller thanked MPEG’s new Political Engagement Committee for mobilizing members to raise over $10,000 in contributions last year. Local 700 was recognized by President Loeb with its first-ever Gold Award — a tangible sign that union political activism is no longer on the periphery of MPEG’s membership.
A Goal for a California Post Tax Credit
Closer to home, George addressed efforts underway in Sacramento to strengthen California’s incentive structure, particularly for post-production work. A newly introduced “spot bill,” with temporary wording, by Assembly Member Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) aims to lay the groundwork for a targeted post-production incentive — a measure long sought by members who have seen post jobs steadily migrate elsewhere.
George said he recently met with leaders of the California Post Alliance (CAPA), a grassroots coalition of workers and industry professionals pushing the initiative forward.
“We will get behind the bill,” said George to enthusiastic applause, making clear that support of labor unions across the state will be key to success.
MPEG’s political advocacy exists among a large labor movement. As part of the California IATSE Council, Local 700 joined with the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, DGA and Teamsters — united in the so-called Entertainment Union Coalition — to successfully lobby to double California’s film and television tax incentive to $750 million annually. While that program includes post-production, George cautioned that it may not be sufficient to stem the outflow of post work to other states and overseas.
To ensure accountability, the Guild is taking a data-driven approach.
“We will track every project awarded the California incentive and ask one question: Did it result in work covered under a Local 700 agreement? That means picture, sound, and finishing,” George said.
George emphasized that MPEG is seeking “accurate data, not assumptions.” A newly approved research staff position will monitor projects and industry indicators, allowing the Guild to identify gaps and advocate for targeted fixes.
According to state data, 123 projects — feature films and episodic streaming/TV — have received California incentives, generating approximately 18,000 cast and crew jobs across all departments. The Guild intends to ensure that post-production workers share fully in that employment.
“We are not going to assume that work shot union in California will automatically post here. If there is a flaw in the incentive structure, we will work within the coalition of IA locals and lobby to amend it,” said George.
The strategy builds on past success. Local 700 locked arms with the New York Post Alliance and helped secure a post-production-only tax incentive in New York in 2010, covering projects shot outside the state but brought to New York for post. The program is capped at $45 million annually.
“The New York post-production tax incentive dramatically increased the amount of post jobs in New York. We did that,” said Miller.
Contract Enforcement and Shop Stewards
George reported on Local 700’s successful efforts with contract enforcement, that protects member rights on the job.
MPEG recovered more than $1.2 million in owed wages and benefits for members — a concrete reminder that enforcement is not rhetorical, but financial.
“I’ve talked about changing the culture of our Local,” said George. “We need to be more aggressive in enforcement. More aggressive in organizing. More engaged politically.”
Miller encouraged members to complete the “I Started A Job” digital form on the Editors Guild website, emphasizing that accurate, real-time information about where members are working strengthens both enforcement and organizing efforts.
“There is no better way of knowing where each of our members is working, or what we are working on,” said Miller. “This data will allow our staff to better analyze the current state of the business to project where we are headed.”
The Guild has also expanded its Shop Steward program, training 32 rank-and-file members to work closely with Field Representatives and organizers, with plans to double that number by year’s end. The goal: stronger communication between members and staff, earlier intervention when problems arise, and deeper member engagement.
“One-on-one member connection is what will make this effort successful, not using social media,” said George.
New Guild Websites
The meeting also offered a preview of redesigned digital platforms that will launch in the coming months for both editorsguild.com and cinemontage.org. Guided by member feedback, MPEG’s Website Committee revamped the new Guild site to feature customizable navigation, and the ability to build an online resume of credits using the functionality of iMDB.com, the film industry’s database.
The revamped Cinemontage site will better organize content across Guild news, emerging technology, craft features, and coverage of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Cinemontage promotes ‘What Our Members Do,’ communicating the message of our creativity, craft and labor policy to the entertainment community and the general public,” said Miller.
Miller also touted MPEG’s Training Committee, which last year taught over 7000 “member hours” of instruction, including classes from basic craft techniques to Avid Certification, as well as seminars and workshops in artificial intelligence and Emerging Technology.
Advocating for Members — “Make Some Noise!”
Members engaged in a lively Q&A for 45 minutes after the meeting, then mingled in the theater lobby and enjoyed a taco truck in the parking lot. It was a needed gathering of the union community, allowing members to re-connect with colleagues, share work stories, ask about contract rules specific to their classification, or about how they could volunteer for Guild projects.
The Political Engagement Committee set up a table with contribution forms for the IATSE PAC, and several members signed up to support the effort. Members can make donations via the MPEG website.
Miller spoke about many threats unions face today, including consolidation from streaming wars, emerging technology expanding into union classifications, and remote work that, while convenient, can risk offshoring jobs.
And the most obvious threat — “The Trump administration is determined to destroy American unions,” said Miller, evidenced by a non-functional National Labor Board that has been rendered powerless by the Republican majority. This presents challenges in a time when entertainment workers need assistance from federal government initiatives.
“All our voices need to be heard within the Guild, but also need to be heard in the greater entertainment community,” said Miller. “Advocate for yourself and make some noise! When you need help on the job, let your union know. The only way we can try to fix your problem is if we know about it.
“Your union is the only organization in the entertainment industry whose sole purpose is to stand up for you, your rights, and to improve your work life,” Miller proclaimed. “So if you need help with your job, make some noise! When your rights are threatened by your employers or your government, make some noise!”
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