JOINING TOGETHER
Wilmington film crews have a decision to make Friday. It could halt productions nationwide
Port City Daily
By Alexandria Sands Williams
September 29, 2021
In protest of grueling hours, low pay and insufficient breaks, film crews are close to walking off sets, ceasing productions nationwide and possibly turning Wilmington’s EUE/Screen Gems Studios back into a desert. Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) are voting Friday on a strike authorization. The entertainment labor union covers set decorators, gaffers, prop masters, grips, costume designers, location managers and more — all otherwise known as “below-the-line” workers because of the way their names appear on a top sheet of a film budget, underneath the directors, producers and actors. The results will come out Monday, Oct. 4.
Hollywood’s Stagehands Are Set to Begin Strike Vote on Friday
Bloomberg
By Christopher Palmeri
September 30, 2021
An estimated 60,000 IATSE members, mostly based in Los Angeles, could walk off the job if the union decides to take such action. Three of the union’s locals are actually national in scope, meaning a strike by those groups would halt work across the country, affecting almost 1 million jobs directly tied to film and TV production.
‘It’s time to take a stand’: IATSE leader predicts strike authorization vote will pass
Los Angeles Times
By Anousha Sakoui
September 30, 2021
In Matthew Loeb’s 13 years as president of one of Hollywood’s biggest unions, this weekend’s planned vote to authorize strike action is unprecedented. Some 60,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union, representing crafts that power Hollywood’s film and televisions productions, will be asked to vote on whether to grant Loeb the right to call a strike should talks over a new contract with producers remain logjammed. The results of the vote are expected to be announced on Monday.
Deere union contract expires at midnight, negotiations still ongoing
Quad City Times
By Cara Smith
September 30, 2021
The current contract between the United Auto Workers Local 865 union and Deere & Co. expires at midnight Thursday. Negotiations for a new agreement are still ongoing as of 4 p.m., according to Brian Rothenberg, senior communications advisor. Negotiations could go on up until midnight, Rothenberg said, and the outcome of the negotiation will be shared with the public later Thursday or early Friday morning. After the contract expires, the union has three potential options moving forward: reaching a tentative agreement, extending the contract while further negotiations take place, or proceeding with a strike.
IN THE STATES
Applying for a job? A new Connecticut law requires the employer to tell you how much it pays
Hartford Courant
By Stephen Singer
September 30, 2021
The practice by employers of asking job applicants about their current or previous salary “particularly harms women who face conscious and unconscious discrimination in the workplace,” Sal Luciano, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, told state lawmakers in February as they drafted the legislation. “Employers who rely on salary history to select job applicants and to set new hires’ pay tend to perpetuate gender- and race-based disparities in their workforce,” he said.
Miners Day program set Oct. 10
The Telegraph
September 30, 2021
Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive will host a Miners Day program at noon Sunday, Oct. 10, to celebrate the legacy of the Battle of Virden. Speakers will include Tim Drea of the Illinois AFL/CIO and Helaine Silverman of the Mythic Mississippi Project. There will also be a dedication of a historic plaque. Mother Jones will be portrayed Loretta Williams and General Bradley will be portrayed by Dale Hawkins.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
52nd Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Award to honor Heindel, Metcalf and Woodhour
AJOT
By AJOT
September 30, 2021
The United Seamen’s Service 52nd annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Award will be presented to David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO and Chairman of the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s Seafarers’ Section, representing 1.2 million seafarers worldwide; Kathy Metcalf, President and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America; and William Woodhour, President and CEO of Maersk Line, Limited. The traditional silver statuette of Christopher Columbus – the first Admiral of the Ocean Sea – will be accepted by the three honorees at a gala dinner to be conducted December 3, 2021 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.