Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487667
It has never been in the interest of employers to let workers organize. Even today, companies often do everything they can to discourage workers from forming or joining a labor union. It is not out of the norm to see them refuse to voluntarily recognize a unionization effort, and instead be forced to recognize a union by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB was founded on July 5, 1935, after the passage of the National Labor Relations Act, which federally recognized the rights of workers to band together for the purpose of collective bargaining. Before 1935, it was very dangerous to take a stand against employers. In fact, the earliest members of the labor movement weren't just facing down their angry employers, but were being subdued by government forces. When the Homestead Strike of 1892 broke into violence, Pennsylvania state militia forces were deployed against the striking steelworkers. The Pullman Strike of 1894 saw twenty thousand federal troops dispatched to put an end to the strike in Chicago. And in 1903, the Colorado National Guard was deployed against the Western Federation of Miners to end their strike during the Colorado Labor Wars. Despite the dangers, working men and women fought and died in solidarity with other workers because they knew a better life was possible for them and their families. A life with days off, safe work environments, and living wages. Their grit and determination led to the passage of the National Labor Relations Act. The gains won by the early labor movement continue to be felt to this day, but the fight for fair wages and conditions is far from over, as it faces a continually changing employment landscape. Today, the IATSE represents filmmakers, artists, and craftspeople working for some of the largest multi-national corporations around. Old studios like the Walt Disney Corporation, Warner Bros., and Universal have been joined by the likes of trillion-dollar companies like Amazon and Apple. Altogether, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) represents almost three trillion dollars in corporate interests. Negotiating equitable contracts with such powerful forces is a lopsided affair to say the least. We cannot outspend them. However, that is not to say that we are powerless to continue to improve working conditions. As a union, our greatest strength lies in our core value: Solidarity. 58 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Winter 2023 Building Solidarity: Why Work Reporting Matters by James Delhauer