Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1256324
10 • THE ARTISAN SPRING 2020 GUILD NEWS 2020 June 7 Board of Trustees Meeting 10 AM via Zoom June 8 Executive Board Meeting 8 PM via Zoom July 4 Independence Day observed, offices closed (Offices also closed July 3) July 12 Board of Trustees Meeting 10 AM via Zoom July 13 Executive Board Meeting 8 PM via Zoom August 2 Board of Trustees Meeting 10 AM August 3 Executive Board Meeting 8 PM August 16 General Membership Meeting 2-4 PM Mentors/Young Workers Meeting 1 PM via Zoom (No physical meeting) *Dates subject to change CALENDAR OF EVENTS In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, there is no greater need than community, solidarity, kinship, broth- erhood and sisterhood, and service to our fellows. As the world was starting to self-isolate in the middle of March 2020, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO was ramping up to "jump into action" with both feet to help ALL its union members. It was the beginning of the LA Unions Food Distribution, a col- laboration between the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor (LA Fed), the Labor Community Services Los Angeles (via the LA Fed), Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and The Unions of Los Angeles: IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 11, Teamsters Locals 986, 484, 572, IATSE International, West Coast, and LA Locals, Unite Here Local 11, Painters Local 1036, Port Unions, UAW (United Auto Workers) 509, CSEA (California School Employees Association), LA Labor (LA Fed), etc. The distributions were open to ANY union member who was in need. Over the past four weeks, union members have driven to the City of Commerce, Covina, Long Beach, Burbank, Van Nuys, Inglewood, Monterey Park, The Forum in Los Angeles, Carson, San Pedro, Los Angeles Harbor College, Pico Rivera, and the West Coast IATSE to participate in the LA County Union Members Food Distribution. On April 8, 2020, the West Coast IATSE hosted the first Food Distribution for IATSE/Entertainment Industry Unions. 4th Int'l Vice President Michael Miller, who is also the Dept. Director of Motion Picture & TV Production at the West Coast IATSE, was on hand to oversee the entire operation, along with volunteers from various IATSE locals, the LA Fed, the LA Regional Food Bank, and Labor Community Services. The cars started lining up about 7 a.m. and the food distribution started at 10 a.m. The volunteers loaded 800 boxes of food (including whole chickens and bags of red delicious apples) into the trunks of entertainment union members before the 2 p.m. ending time. According to Elda Martinez, Affiliate Engagement Liaison (LA Fed) and Armando Olivas, Community Engagement Director of the Labor Community Services (LA Fed), decisions to hold food distributions are made based on wherever there is a need. The IATSE/entertainment unions had their second food distribution on April 29, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon. Host and location was the IATSE (International) and the IATSE West Coast Office. The partners were Labor Community Services (nonprofit branch of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO); Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. More than 50 union volunteers came to be of service, keep- ing their "six feet of social distancing" while wearing masks and gloves, and showing their solidarity to their fellow kin, brothers, and sisters. Along with workers and representatives from the Labor Community Services of the LA Fed, the LA Fed, the LA Regional Food Bank, the IATSE West Coast Office, and Teamsters, the following union locals were represented: IATSE Local 33 Stagehands and Projectionists IATSE Local 44 Affiliated Property Craftspersons IATSE Local 80 Grips, Crafts Service, Set Medics IATSE Local B-192 Amusement Area Employees IATSE Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild IATSE Local 705 Costumers IATSE Local 706 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists IATSE Local 728 Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians IATSE Local 729 Set Painters and Sign Writers IATSE Local 839 The Animation Guild Also present and representing were: IBEW Local 47 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Diamond Bar) LIUNA Local 300 Laborers' International Union of North America (Mission Hills) Together, the number of members/families receiving boxes of food, 5 lb of grilled chicken fillets, and ears of fresh corn was 1,039 and based on the average number of individuals (four) per family, approximately 4,156 individuals were supported by their union community. It was and will continue to be, the monumental efforts of those devoted to helping each other, the individuals and groups that vol- unteer to the serve the working class, and our union membership that makes us what we are today. To our kinship in solidarity, we thank you ALL. In Solidarity, Community, and Service by Karen Westerfield