by A.J. Catoline
As they set out from Los Angeles to the annual IATSE convention in Lake Tahoe, the elected delegates of Local 700 did something rare for hard-working Editors Guild members— get out in nature.
They explored the steep trails of the Sierra Nevada mountains, redwood forests, waterfalls and streams that flow into a vast and deep emerald-colored lake. And at night, they could visit (or avoid) the casino gaming tables.
Hundreds of union members who work in different crafts gathered for the 80th annual IATSE District 2 convention June 8 — at the Bally’s Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada — at a time of great uncertainty in the film and television industry. A historic work slowdown persists and negotiations for a new contract between the union and the producers are not yet concluded.
The convention welcomed 232 delegates from dozens of Locals across California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. This year was Nevada’s turn to host, though the proceedings were held just steps from the state line with California.
Local 700 sent 30 delegates from a variety of classifications — picture, sound, music and assistant editors, a technician and a story analyst — who spent most of the time meeting new faces, saying hello to old friends in other locals they met at past conventions, and talking about their issues and concerns in the workplace.
“It was such a pleasure to witness the camaraderie, the professionalism and the care all of our delegates took in looking out for one another and for making the most of networking with rank-and-file members of other locals,” said National Executive Director Cathy Repola.
While meeting in the convention center of a bustling casino hotel, members of all locals were keenly aware that the union must not “roll the dice” for the future of solidarity, but rather make a safe bet that being united will be the best preparation for a successful negotiation to ratify a new contract. And in November’s presidential and congressional elections, ensure that pro-labor candidates win.
International President Matt Loeb welcomed the delegates, saying he had arrived the night before in Lake Tahoe after staying in a hotel in Los Angeles for 45 days to head the union side of the table during the extended negotiations with the AMPTP producers for the Basic Agreement. Talks are scheduled to resume June 24, and the current contract expires July 31.
“Our members are among the most skilled and artistic trades people in the world. We will fight and we will never, ever lose sight of the members,” Loeb said.
Negotiations have focused on achieving wage increases and shoring up the Motion Picture Health and Pension plans, huge economic asks this year as the plans dig out from under a projected $700 million deficit caused, in part, by the industry slowdown due to the strikes.
“We’re going to make sure that not only do we attach new residuals and increase the funding to the plans, but that we come up with a long-term way to make sure they are funded well into the future, that the pensions are better as time goes on, and that folks can retire in dignity. That’s our job at the bargaining table. We’re absolutely committed to do it, and without that there will be no deal,” Loeb thundered to cheers and applause.
Loeb acknowledged the unprecedented unity in the convention hall, saying he feels more empowered at the bargaining table.
“Members have had it! And they stood up,” he said “That has put us in a position where we can ask for things that we probably couldn’t have achieved in the past without that power. And that comes from the membership. But it also comes from the commitment of the leadership. And I want to thank everybody who is in that room bargaining with us,” Loeb said.
“And I think if we stay this course, we are going to have a deal that we can be proud of, that the members will see as security for their futures, and ratify.”
“I don’t think there is a better time in history to be a member of the IA,” added District Chair and IA Vice President Mike Miller. “The unprecedented solidarity that we’re going to celebrate this weekend is the driver of what is going to be one of the most successful contract negotiations in our history. And that’s all because our members are standing together. And the employers know it’s real, and that’s going to pay dividends for us in a couple of weeks when we get back to the table.”
Resolution to Get Out the Vote
At every IA convention, delegations can submit resolutions on a variety of subjects that are in the interest of the union and its members. These usually are symbolic statements, though sometimes they urge the locals of the district to take action.
Editors Guild delegates discussed at their pre-convention meeting that, being one of the largest Locals in the district, that there are thousands of Guild members who could play a vital role in the upcoming election to volunteer to get out the vote — through phone and text banking and canvassing — not only in the critical race for President, but for congressional and down-ballot races. The campaigns for the next senators in Arizona and Nevada are rated as toss-ups, as are a handful of congressional districts in California.
The resolution — titled “Get out the Vote in 2024 to Strengthen and Preserve Labor Unions and American Democracy — was written by a workgroup composed of Picture Editors Shannon Baker Davis, Shiran Miller and this reporter.
The resolution was read on the floor stressing among its key points:
That the locals of District 2 “recognize that in a democracy our rights as union members are undeniably linked to our political rights, and thus, it is our civic duty to exercise our fundamental right to vote;”
And that “vigorous participation and a high voter turnout for pro-worker candidates is vital to the health of our union and our union kin, and to the future success of the labor movement, and that voter apathy works against our collective interests;”
And in a clear reference to President Joe Biden, the resolution pointed out that “the IATSE Executive Board has endorsed a pro union presidential candidate, who has walked a union picket line, who is an enthusiastic supporter of workers and the right to organize.”
And it was therefore resolved that “that the Locals of IATSE District 2 affirm the utmost importance of voting in national, state and local elections being held in 2024, and proactively encourage members to inform and educate and inspire their fellow union kin to register, vote, and volunteer to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) through all vocal, written and electronic means – be it by phone banking, text banking, canvassing, writing postcards to voters, and/or offering rides to those in need – and then encourage others to do the same.”
And it was further resolved that all union members in the district “make an informed vote, while made aware of the political endorsements of the IATSE, to elect and re-elect national, state and local candidates who support unions, the right to organize, and who promote tangible action in favor of organized labor.”
The resolution — the first submitted by the Editors Guild to an IA convention in decades — passed unanimously to resounding applause in the hall.
President Loeb addressed the IATSE Executive Board’s unanimous endorsement in the presidential election saying “the choice is Joe Biden. Joe Biden has increased our power and our voice, and we have access to folks at the White House in a way we never had before. We have a president who is the strongest labor supporter of any president that we have ever had. Who appoints people to the Labor Board or the Department of Labor, who lets us in the room and gives us a voice at the table,” said Loeb.
President Alan Heim committed that the Editors Guild would be active in voter outreach efforts. “I am proud of our delegates for drafting and garnering unanimous support of our resolution. There is a lot at risk for union members in the upcoming elections and we need to play a role in advocating that our members vote,” he said.
Another resolution passed unanimously to recommit to the critical importance of safety on the job, and moved that a moment of silence be held as the convention adjourned in the name and memory of J.C. “Spike” Osorio — a lighting technician and member of Local 728 — who last February fell to his death from the soundstage catwalk while working on the Marvel series “Wonder Man.”
Download and read the Local 700 Get Out the Vote Resolution (PDF).
Engaging Other Local Members
The main convention on Saturday had a mid-day recess where delegates broke out into pre-assigned committees which included discussions on Activism, Legislation, Diversity, Workplace Safety and Education. A lunch was held by the IATSE Political Action Committee, and delegates donated more that $7100.
On Friday night was the annual social of the IATSE Women’s Committee. On Sunday there was an educational talk by Tyler McIntosh, the IATSE Political/Legislative Director, who shared tools and strategies how each local can set up voter registration drives to get out the vote this November. He thanked Local 700 for submitting its resolution and urged delegates to put it into action back in their locals. (Members can read more about the IATSE PAC at iatse.net/political-legislative/)
There was a delegate reception on Saturday night hosted by the Stagehands Union, IA Local 363 in Reno, NV. The Editors Guild along with several of the Los Angeles based locals helped sponsor the event featuring locally-brewed craft beer. It was a chance for delegates to socialize after a long day of sessions.
“I admit that I was a little nervous being a first-time delegate,” said Justin Bourret, a picture editor who served on the District 2 Education Committee. “Seeing the passion from the delegates in all the locals gave me such faith in our union. I can honestly say that everyone present had the best interests of the membership we were representing. All of us were proud talking about the educational resources we have for our members.”
Isabel Yanes, an assistant editor who serves on the Young Workers Committee and volunteers as a Shop Steward for her post-production job, said she ran to be a delegate because “I was interested in learning more about our place within IATSE.”
“These conventions focus on inter-local and inter-generational connections, which I have found to be extremely helpful for learning how to foster the cultural and contractual change our members need,” said Yanes.
“In the resolutions committee, it was great to see the participation and camaraderie from everyone,” said sound editor and first time delegate Bobbi Banks. “The delegates from Arizona put forth a request and as it got acknowledged and accepted I was crying along with them as they were so very passionate, and it really struck me. I could feel how important it was to them.”
I was proud to be a delegate representing Local 700, especially with our resolution to ‘Get out the Vote’” said assistant editor Emma DuPell. “I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable meeting other IATSE local members. On the flight to Lake Tahoe, I sat next to a woman from Local 44, property masters, where I learned how their union is currently organizing their offices so that members will have an easier time accessing their local’s meeting minutes and their union’s history. It’s inspired me to come up with ideas for how we can make our own history more accessible for our members.”
“It was an honor to get to know my fellow delegates,” Bourret said. “Not only is IATSE filled with talented artists, but they are wonderful human beings as well. The convention was an eye-opening experience. I have wanted to give back to the union, and this was a great venue to do so. I will definitely run again to be a delegate for future conventions.”
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