IATSE President Thomas C. Short today sent an open letter to all IA members and locals working in film and television who might be affected should a strike be called by the Writers Guild of America. What a different tack from the Teamsters'. The current IATSE motion picture contracts have the same no-strike clause that has been in effect in previous contracts. The IATSE is an International Union that represents members employed in the stagecraft, motion picture and television production, and trade shows industries throughout the United States and Canada. President Short’s letter is quoted below in its entirety:
OPEN LETTER TO ALL IATSE MEMBERS AND LOCALS ENGAGED IN MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION FROM THOMAS C. SHORT, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
As you are aware, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is currently in negotiations for a successor contract to the current agreement that expires on October 31, 2007. While the IATSE remains hopeful that a new agreement can be reached between the WGA and the Employers, there is a potential for a work stoppage.
The IATSE has over 50,000 members in two countries engaged in motion picture and television production. Any work stoppage may have a profound and long-lasting impact on you and your families.
The IATSE contracts contain provisions that require us to continue to honor our contracts. These 'no strike' provisions require the IATSE to notify our members of their obligation to honor these contracts and continue working. Any individual member who chooses to honor any picket line is subject to permanent replacement.
It is important for each IATSE member to be aware of their contractual obligation as well as the potential impact on them personally if they choose to not cross and are replaced. Contact your local union with any questions regarding this potential labor dispute.
Tommy Short is the biggest douche in Hollywood. And that’s saying a lot. No wonder his union is the town’s weakest — he is a complete tool of the Companies. (I’m a writer.)
Comment by Ashley — October 31, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Yeah, Tommy sucks, since all he’s worried about is keeping those silly, selfish 50,000 IA members working. Doesn’t he understand that writers ARE this industry? Cinematographers, Editors, Grips, etc., etc. all need to shut up and go away. Who needs ‘em. It’s all about us writers!
Comment by Anonymous — October 31, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Hmm, maybe Mr. Short realizes that when the Teamsters last struck, writers crossed picket lines without blinking an eye, and nary a discussion of acting to support those they now call on to support them.
Yet another example of the intelligentia’s duplicity in the history of war (come help us man the barricades, we’ll be right behind you - yeah right). The saying goes, a smart man learns from his own mistakes and a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. The teamsters coming again to the call may not even be smart but IATSE may be wise.
Comment by Audient — October 31, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
IATSE isn’t against us. They’re simply reminding their members that they contractually have to work if the writers strike or they will lose their jobs. They’re looking out for their members, as they should.
The Teamster thing is different. There is a clause in their contract that says they will not be penalized for refusing to cross a picket line. IATSE doesn’t have that guarantee.
Comment by Klaatu — October 31, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
Anyone who thinks that IATSE isn’t on the AMPTP’s side in ALL things hasn’t paid much attention to their history: (1) they undercut any and all attempts to organize Animation by the WGA: the WGA gets signature cards, the Producer sues to stop the organizing effort, using spurious claims to delay any WGA election, then the Producer calls the IATSE who steps in, gets cards and holds an election before the WGA can do so, and cuts a deal which screws the animation writers out of residuals permanently. They’ve done the exact same thing in Reality programming, going around behind the WGA’s back and signing sweetheart deals which preclude their writer-members from receiving residuals.
They are a Syndicate Union. A Company Union. A Racket Union. Tommy Short is a company man all the way, and his union members pay for it in spades.
Comment by IATSE Victim — November 1, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
As a member of the IA, I am mortified by the stance taken by my guild. Since when do unions work to undermine anothers contract negotiatioms???
Suing the WGA ???
Perhaps some classes in labor history are in order for our leaders.
The IA’s membership’s interests might be better served by working just a tad harder to come even remotely close to the benefits hard won over the decades by the WGA for it’s membership, rather than spending energy and time undermining the efforts of the WGA to protect the benefits that IA members do notand should have.
It is an embarrasment.
See you on the picket line. I’ll be there in support of my fellow union brothers and sisters !
Comment by Terry — November 1, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
It’s one thing to support fellow unions and another to violate your agreement and lose your job altogether so that when the writers go back to work you’re screwed.
Comment by G — November 2, 2007 @ 8:51 am