Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1504875
clear," said Miller to resounding applause, referring to the motion picture producers' bargaining group, which has not made a fair labor deal with film and TV writers. "The purpose of our union has never been more important and more relevant to our mem- bers than it is right now," Miller continued. International P resident Matt Loeb reiterated the commitment of the IATSE to stand in solidarity with the WGA. "It's not our fight directly, but nobody wants to see a union get beat," said Loeb. The strike is "creating unity throughout the unions," Loeb said. "We have to stay strong together to win, all of us." Union members are increasingly con- cerned with the evolving use of Artificial Intelligence technology in the workplace. Loeb urged members to stay on the fore- front of technology, as IATSE has done since the union was founded in 1893, adding that a commission has been formed to look into protecting each local and the crafts they cover. "We have to make the tools of the future our tools," said Loeb. "We have to protect our jurisdiction, we have to protect our jobs, and we have to train people into the future to make sure the IATSE holds its rightful place in the industry." Loeb also reported that the first IATSE member census, as mandated by the last quadrennial convention, will be electron- ically distributed to members. The goal is to determine demographics of active union members across the country and Canada. Miller said the District 2 convention is "the penultimate interlocal meeting" for elected delegates across all crafts and the region to come together to "talk about issues that we share" and to "bring our s t r u g g l e s t o g e t h e r t o f i n d e q u i t a b l e solutions." Five resolutions came to the floor in sup- port of women, mothers, and persons in the workplace, urging comprehensive benefits including fertility, adoption, and advance arrangements for expression of breast milk. All were passed unanimously. Delegate Andy Garner-Flexner of Local 839 Animation Guild passionately spoke in favor of his local's resolution for District 2 to expressly support human rights for LGBTQIA+ members and to review union health insurance plans to expand cover- age for medical care and procedures for transgender members. Both passed with resounding unanimous consent. However, a resolution to investigate vote-counting procedures during conven- tions was hotly debated and failed in a series of close and contentious votes. Away from the convention floor, Local 700 delegates mingled with members in sister locals in the Hollywood bargaining group. There were many conversations about next year's negotiation for the IATSE Basic Agreement that covers about 45,000 members working in film and television. "If our members stay united, we will show our strength and can achieve our common goals," said Cathy Repola. "The IATSE will be sending a survey to members in September asking them to rank their priorities of what contract conditions they most want to improve. It is critical we have full participation in this survey. This data will represent the voice of our members and what they are eager to fight for next year." Evidently, there is common ground among members to achieve signif icant increases to scale wages and secure more funding for the health and pension plans. The IATSE Women's Committee gath- ered for a mixer, handing out slips of paper with written questions to each delegate, such as "When did you feel most powerful?" and "What was the toughest challenge you faced in your career?" Nearly $1500 was raised for Women Helping Women (wom- enhelpingwomen.org). The Memorial Committee celebrated members dearly departed, and Local 700 delegates reported 110 Editors Guild mem- bers from several classifications passed away in the year since the prior convention. There was special recognition for Donn Cambern, ACE, a legendary former Editors Guild president and cherished mentor, and Oscar-nominated editor of "Easy Rider." Also mentioned was "Avatar" editor John Refoua, ACE. A l i ve l y co nve n t i o n m o m e n t ca m e during debate on a resolution to reform the district's voting procedures so that votes from delegates in attendance are more pro- portional to the members they represent. If there is an election at the IA con- ventions or when voting to ratify the IA Basic Agreemebt, the counting mechanism is similar to the U.S. electoral college. MIC STAND: Cathy Repola speaks at the convention. 11 F A L L Q 3 I S S U E D I S T R I C T 2