Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/990701
16 CINEMONTAGE / Q2 2018 by Jason Brotman W hat was your last interaction with the Editors Guild? If your answer is "paying my dues" or "attending orientation," this article is for you. Actually, it's not; it's for every member. But if those were your answers, I implore you to read on. Don't worry, there's no lecture here or some boring, in-depth treatise on the history of organized labor. Rather, this is a personal story and a rallying cry. I am writing this as a new member of the Membership Outreach Committee. I joined Local 700 in 2014. I had worked for three years in non-union reality — which wasn't my particular area of interest — before getting my break and landing my first union gig, an NBC drama. I remember attending the Guild orientation meeting, helmed by National Organizer Rob Callahan. I was thoroughly excited to hear about the strength of the health and pension plans, labor dispute assistance and the prospect of getting involved with the Board of Directors. But then I dove into the work and business of our industry (namely, building out my network and finding my next gigs) and life happened (I moved, got married and raised a puppy). Over time, I fell into a way of thinking that I'm sure many members do. The union was an afterthought that I took for granted, an entity I considered similar to the DMV — a gatekeeper whose building I'd visit if I needed to complete some administrative task. But then something changed. Having advanced in my personal life, I now had larger goals in mind; it was time to get involved. Fortunately, just as I came to this decision, President Alan Heim, ACE, sent out an e-mail asking members to attend the annual General Membership Meeting to discuss current working conditions. I honestly hadn't realized such an event existed, so I jumped at the chance. I was very happy to see a full house in the Dede Allen Seminar Room that night; over 100 members were in attendance. National Executive Director Cathy Repola proceeded to take questions for about two hours on any topic. The exchange was fascinating to witness. I decided that new voices were needed in the discussion, and that mine could be a positive contribution. Shortly thereafter, I became aware of, and joined, the I Am the Union Facebook group and began speaking up about topics for which I cared deeply. It was there that I first made contact with some Board members. By diving deep into the issues, I learned how our Guild functions fundamentally: the role of the Board of Directors, how negotiations work and how much autonomy (and, in some aspects, lack thereof ) we have under current IATSE rules. This further moved me to action. I was told that if I wanted to get involved, I should attend a Board meeting. At my first meeting, I met a few of the Board members with whom I had spoken online. We had great conversations and they recommended I ask to be added to the Membership Outreach Committee. I had come to learn that the 100-member showing for the General Membership Meeting was unprecedented in recent years and, unfortunately, the exception, not the rule. I was also able to join the Website Committee, as Guild communications are key to outreach. I have since attended multiple Board and committee meetings at which my input was welcome. I have helped to contribute to important work that's being done to better engage our fellow members in the living entity that is our union. And that's what it is: our union. This is key. "The union," as it's often referred to in an arm's-length way, isn't some DMV-like bureaucracy, as I had perceived it to be. It's also not a self-sustaining monolith that will inevitably get the best deal for its membership. Like anything organic, it needs nourishment. Local 700, our Guild, is us…all of us — assistant editors, picture editors, sound editors, re- recording mixers, music editors, visual effects editors, engineers and the other disciplines that constitute this organization. MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH Put the 'You' in Union At the Guild's annual General Membership Meeting, National Executive Director Cathy Repola proceeded to take questions for about two hours on any topic. The exchange was fascinating to witness. I decided that new voices were needed in the discussion, and that mine could be a positive contribution. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18