Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/501792
49 SPRING 2015 / CINEMONTAGE 49 SPRING 2015 / CINEMONTAGE part because he had the childhood experience of experiencing his father being fired after 24 years of working for the same farmer — because he was a follower of Caesar Chavez," he says. "Just as important, Miguel found a purpose and expression for that experience through his union work. It is a very interesting challenge to develop leaders today who have the ambition and creativity to be in our industry, yet have the heart and soul, along with pragmatic temperament, to do the work that unions do." The proliferation of small boutiques and facilities is not just an organizing problem. "We have to keep connected to our people," he stresses. "We have to find the way to educate our members to participate, be informed and vote." This is much more difficult as the workplace has become geographically spread out, and businesses specialize in parts of the process. Another aspect of today's challenge is the effort to restrict union activities, part of which is "putting up money for different causes," Aredas says. "It's hard to give money out, because you are on a budget. And you can't give money out of the general fund, because that is all predicated by the law. So it has been important to back politicians who are sympathetic — or will at least listen — to what you have to say. That's all part of the challenge." The actual office Aredas occupied during his time as head of the IA West Coast office remains as it was when he retired nearly a decade ago. The fact that he is welcome to use it as he sees fit is as much a testimony to his accomplishments as the many honors that line the walls. Among them is one that certifies his lifetime membership in Local 683, which became a part of Local 700, the Motion Picture Editors Guild, in 2010 — with Aredas among those chosen as an MPEG Board member. Besides noting his "commitment, leadership, dedication and counsel," the certification concludes, "But most importantly, for your compassionate sympathetic and humane demeanor." Spending time with Aredas reveals that as uninteresting as he might describe his career, the issues that have occupied his time and his guiding values turn out to be deep, compassionate and profoundly human. Security, fairness and respect for others (including the employers) have all animated his daily work, whatever the job title he held at the time. The nuts and bolts of union work — from the machine shop floor to working with public policy leaders in collaboration with other organizations — all originate from fundamental concepts executed with grace and humanity. The growing complexity and speed of change hasn't altered these basic issues or values, just how we adapt to advance them. When asked, "What is something we don't know about Joe Aredas from his resume?" he looks inward again. And then, almost amused at himself, shares, "The one thing I have always been is a sponge. What I mean is that I look to see what others are doing and how they do it, and ask myself if it's better than the way I do it, or if there's a better way to do it. We have to be a sponge in this world to really succeed; and that's what I've done, been a sponge." His previous comment is as self-effacing and minimizing as those other statements he makes about himself. Therefore, it is left up to us to take notice and recognize the truly remarkable fact that in his knowledge, observation, absorption, analyses and action throughout his long and productive career, Aredas has also been an extraordinary example of the values recognized in the Editors Guild's prestigious Fellowship and Service Award that he is receiving. If he was correct, that it really is "no big deal," then MPEG would not be honoring him this May 2, 2015. f Joe Aredas, Vice President, Human Resources, CFI in 1997.