president's letter Voices of Hope and Unity Although this space is typically reserved for the president of our Local, I have asked your entire officer leadership team and national executive director to contribute. The current crisis has distanced us physically but brought us closer together in every other way. Our membership has never been more threatened – physically, emotionally or financially – and the Local 600 staff and elected leaders have responded by working harder and more effectively than ever to offer aid and to continue to look to a future when we return to a safe workplace. That future includes rebuilding our staff, protecting our members on jobs, and bargaining new contracts, to name only a few of the things our union does for us. I am grateful to the national executive officers, the entire national executive board, and all our staff who form the leadership team that is guiding our Local through this difficult time. We will get through this together and come through stronger than ever. The Local 600 Training Committee has been busy revamping course syllabi for online Zoom training as a viable alternative given the current coronavirus crisis. The response to the first 2ndAC pilot training held in April was a resounding success. The next training session on Zoom will be data handling – a one-day, six-hour session. The Training Committee plans to host online operator, stills, and p ublicists’ panels, which will include members sharing their respective craft knowledge and experience. Dejan Georgevich, ASC National Vice President As we prepare for Netflix and HBA negotiations, our industry faces a redefining, even existential crisis. Parental, family and sick leave and healthcare access have always been of primary concern. Now these programs, within a new coronavirus world, are simply vital to our survival. This upcoming presidential election will see demands for single-payer healthcare continue to escalate, as the threat of COVID-19 redefines healthcare as a fundamental human right. The future of healthcare for working families will be addressed at the bargaining table as well as legislatively, but it will be solved. Christy Fiers First National Vice President I am witness to the incredible hard work the officers, NEB, and staff across the country are doing. The leadership of this union will continue to work hard for the safety and well-being of
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its members, including coordinating with the safety committee for protocols that will help members remain safe when returning to work. With member support, I know we will prevail. As chair of the Shop Stewards Training Program, [I predict] we will be up and running soon. Baird Steptoe Second National Vice President We have all had to sacrifice these last few weeks. Local 600 gave a 100-percent second-quarter dues waiver to all members and increased the hardship fund to $500,000 with the potential to do it again. We are looking out for our members. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last. We don’t know when it will end, and we want to have a Local to come back to. Stay safe.
John Lindley, ASC National President International Cinematographers Guild IATSE Local 600
We are in the midst of a major election year. Many will naturally focus on the presidential race, but there are many other important races – in the U.S. Senate and Congress, and at the state and local level, that need our attention. We must also keep our eyes on legislation that contributes to labor’s collective bargaining power, such as paid family leave, sick pay, and worker safety. Our power is to organize, to get Local 600 members involved with these races, and to join with affiliates that align with the interests of working families. As a union member, it’s time to be registered and VOTE. Deborah Lipman National Sergeant-at-Arms
President Lindley has asked me to chair the Residency Working Group with the responsibility of looking at the residency requirements surrounding the position of the president of Local 600. The goal of the working group is to make sure that the residency requirements allow members of all regions to run for the office of president while ensuring that the membership and staff of Local 600 are provided with efficient and effective governance.
When you’re in the eye of a storm, it’s hard to imagine what is on the other side; and with this crisis, it isn’t even certain when the storm will pass. What we know is that when it does, we will return to our mission and priorities – contract negotiations, contract enforcement, benefits, safety, training, political and legislative action, organizing, diversity, and strengthening bonds and alliances within the IATSE, and the larger labor movement. The order in which we tackle them – safety on sets, healthcare, and paid sick leave to start, for example – may change, but our mission never will. We must continue to fight effectively for fair wages, sustainable benefits, a safe workplace, respect for craft, and retirement with dignity for our members and their families using every tool at our disposal.
Jamie Silverstein National Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Rebecca Rhine National Executive Director
Stephen Wong National Secretary-Treasurer
