Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1076085
12 The Costume Designer Winter 2019 LABOR REPORT UNION LABEL IN SUPPORT OF PAY EQUITY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY Pay equity and sexual harassment have been dominating the news, from the momentum of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements to winning major concessions on closing the pay gap in state legislatures and corpo- rate boardrooms. In 2016, California's Fair Pay Act changed state law by protecting women from being paid less than men for performing "substantially similar work." A study of gender and wages for historically female-dominated crafts commissioned by IATSE Local 871 has discovered that significant gender-based wage gaps continue to exist. The study identifies gender stereotyping, job segregation, and sexual harassment as factors related to gender equity and pay equity for below-the-line employees. In fact, the study found that an astonishing 52 percent of women said they had witnessed or experienced sexual harassment in the last three years alone, and significantly, this data was compiled before the recent explosion of revelations about sexual harassment in the industry. It is not acceptable that our industry continues using discriminatory wage structures that consistently undervalue the work done by hardworking women (and men) employed in historically female classifications, like script supervisors, set decorators, color stylists and Costume Designers, amongst others. Our industry should undertake a thorough review of pay for male- and female-dominated crafts in light of its obligations under California and federal law, and correct any inequities. For more information about this study, contact Working IDEAL workingideal.com. For more information about pay equity: reelequity@gmail.com Women In Media profiles show the world your excellence as an artist and craftsperson. Their com- munity not only sends their own links to prospective employers, but refers members by copy/pasting their links. You never know who is searching the database—and women are getting work! womennmedia.com Film Powered is a networking and skill-sharing tool for professional women in the industry. It is a free, membership-based international com- munity of over 2,000 vetted women designed to increase the skills and strengthen the relationships between our members in an effort to reach gender parity in our business. Mem- bers begin with two credits and those can be spent on attending classes. Ad- ditional credits are gained by offering something back to the community. filmpowered.com Before you talk, listen. Before you react, think. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try! In solidarity, Betty Madden CDG Labor Delegate bmadden@cdgia.com