California State Assemblymember Nick Schultz told Editors Guild members he is optimistic that a proposed standalone post-production tax incentive has a chance to become law with $100 million in annual funding. And he thanked union members for their political activism which has “made a real difference” in helping the bill through the legislative process thus far.
Schultz delivered the remarks April 25 during “Spring Into Action,” an event hosted by Local 700’s Political Engagement Committee at the Los Angeles office. The gathering marked a historic first for the Editors Guild — to both invite a sitting California lawmaker and the President of the 2nd largest labor council in the U.S. to speak directly with members at the union hall.
Shultz is the author of AB2319, which intends to level the playing field for post-production workers by giving incentives to picture, sound, and visual effects jobs in California that otherwise do not qualify for the state’s broader production incentive programs. Backed by the California Post Alliance (CAPA), the bill hopes to stem the outflow of post-production jobs to other states and countries.
Schultz thanked Local 700 members and non-member allies who wrote more than 3200 advocacy letters which had the successful impact to help the bill clear two assembly committees in Sacramento thus far.
“The many letters you’ve sent to my colleagues have made a real difference,” Schultz said. “Elected officials pay attention when constituents speak up—I know because I see those letters coming into my office.”
National Executive Director Scott George emphasized the need to amend the bill to ensure it protects good union jobs. And President Yvonne Wheeler of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor stressed that political activism is essential to that goal.
“The entertainment industry is not just about red carpets and premieres, it’s about jobs — and we want good union jobs, not just non-union jobs,” Wheeler said.
Schultz acknowledged that the bill still faces significant hurdles, particularly in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers will begin this week to evaluate its fiscal impact amid California’s projected $2.9 billion budget deficit. Schultz expressed cautious optimism that if the bill doesn’t clear the Assembly this month, it may need to be taken up in a future legislative session.
Still, Schultz said he believes the bill can advance to a vote on the floor of the Assembly, before it heads to the State Senate – where the process would begin anew.
A standing-room only crowd of union members packed the hall and overflow room, with many more watching on Zoom. They showed up to hear about Local 700’s political activism in the trade union movement. Several were constituents of Schultz, and said they are currently unemployed, or had not worked a union job in years. Falling short of sufficient hours to keep active on the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan, many Local 700 members have been forced to purchase expensive private insurance or COBRA. Members asked how the Post Tax Bill could help them find work in a time when union jobs are scarce.
Schultz pledged to work with the Editors Guild leadership to improve the bill with strong labor standards.
“We need to get the language right,” said National Executive Director George. “If we’re going to incentivize post-production, it cannot be through state subsidies to jobs that undercut our contracts. What we’re fighting for is simple and clear: good union jobs that sustain careers, families, and dignity in our retirement years — everything we need for a good, middle-class life in this industry. That’s the standard. And we’re going to keep pushing until we get there.”
The gathering was a broad call for union political engagement, posing the question: “What is at stake for Local 700 and organized labor?”
President Wheeler, who represents 800,000 union members from 300 unions and labor organizations across Los Angeles county — the labor council known as “The LA Fed” — answered resoundingly: “Our labor movement is as strong as it is because of you, the members who stay engaged, involved, and ready to fight.”
Guild President F. Hudson Miller warmly thanked Schultz for speaking with members candidly about the post-production tax bill. “He is pushing to bring post-production jobs back to California, and we salute him for that,” said Miller.
“We need first and foremost to get the bill’s language right. Then we need to get it passed. Even after necessary amendment, there are many steps this Post Bill must climb before it becomes law,” said Miller.
A graphic appeared on the video screen in the hall that read “Mr. Post Bill Goes to Sacramento,” showing the many steps the legislation must climb to wind its way through the capitol.
“Other lawmakers will need to hear from us in the weeks and months to come. All of us will need to be passionate, vocal advocates for the creation of good union jobs in post-production,” said Miller.
President Wheeler praised Local 700 for prioritizing political education and activism. She implored members that “who you elect matters. Because what we win at the bargaining table can be taken away by the stroke of a pen,” said Wheeler.
“What you’re doing here today is so vitally important. These are the discussions every union should be having. And Local 700, you’re doing it,” she said to resounding applause. Wheeler encouraged members to take action — such as getting out the vote for pro-labor candidates in the elections ahead — by getting involved with LA Fed events.
George echoed President Wheeler’s call for inter-union solidarity, emphasizing, “We need to stay connected to the larger labor movement, to our union kin across industries, because the challenges facing working people today don’t stop at the edges of our craft. … We have allies who need us, and we’re going to need allies to get our needs met.”
IATSE Political and Legislative Director Tyler McIntosh said in a video message that the International continues to push for a film and television tax incentive at the federal level, to keep production and post-production jobs in the United States. He explained how member’s contributions to the IATSE’s Political Action Committee (PAC) helped advance entertainment workers’ interests in Washington, and he thanked Local 700 for its “renewed political activism.”
It was the freshman outing for the Guild’s newest Political Engagement Committee (PEC), whose volunteers handed out buttons that read “Post Proud in CA”. Members gathered afterward to express enthusiasm that the union was getting active politically, especially on a matter so close to home like fighting for more jobs.
PEC Co-Chairs Elisa Cohen and A.J. Catoline thanked members for showing up, and urged them to stay tuned and volunteer for future actions and events.
“So much is at stake these days for MPEG, and we can no longer sit on the sidelines,” said Catoline. “Our committee can inform and activate our members to support union causes and campaigns, so members can speak up, show up, and take part in the political process.”
“These issues affect our lives and careers,” said Cohen. “We hope members leave here today feeling more connected, better informed, empowered and ready to take action.”
– The Political Engagement Committee
Special thanks to the PEC Spring Into Action planning committee members: Erik C. Andersen, Shannon Baker Davis, Bobbi Banks, Frank Delgado, Dorian Harris, Vice President Shiran Miller, Karol Urban, Ryan Westphal, David White.
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