Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512433
4 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2024 The WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strikes may be over, but IATSE will be gearing up for the next round of union negotiations come spring 2024. In contract negotiations, neither side (labor nor management) boasts of being the victor when a contract is settled. It is called "bargaining" and "negotiating" for a reason… You give us this, and we'll give you that. Add more here and subtract less there. Take away part one and give back part two. It may sound simplistic, but the actuality is that it is quite complex with many moving parts. Now add in all the Hollywood locals with their craft-specific asks and needs, and you have weeks upon weeks of negotiations. When all is said and done, both sides (labor and management) will have accomplished the best deal possible with what they had to offer. Will everybody be happy? We can only hope that will be the case. More than likely, we will have those who will be okay with what was negotiated; and those who will not. LOCAL PERSPECTIVE by Karen J. Westerfield Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." FREDERICK DOUGLASS These are words to live by… "It's Time to RETHINK Everything" • • • In trying to keep members' sprits up during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes (148 days and 118 days, respectively), the entertainment industry rallied to lend support to those affected by the work stoppage. IATSE, Teamsters, the LA Fed, and Labor Community Services put together Food Distribution Drive-Thru events over six times since May 2, 2023, when the WGA went out on strike. The Hollywood locals of IATSE, headed by Local 892— Costume Designers Guild Director Brigitta Romanov, created, once again, the incredible "ALL-IN" Solidarity event with more than 800 IATSE members in attendance. Fun was had by "ALL." The unions and IA locals that sponsored the DATR event • • • The MPTF (Motion Picture Television Fund) held their annual "Day at the Ranch" (DATR) event at Calamigos Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. An incredible "fun"/fundraiser with delicious BBQ and "Chuckwagon"-style side dishes, games, prizes, raffles, etc., along with our own Local 706 make-up artists and hair stylists volunteering to do face-painting and wacky-colored hairdos! • • • Local 706 started "Friendship Friday" at the office during the work stoppage. Each Friday for the past few months, we have invited the membership to come spend an hour or two with the Business Representative and the Assistant to the Business Representative for some camaraderie, snacks, and beverages. Approximately 7-25 members came every Friday to chat and talk about life, work, and anything else they had on their minds. We will still be having "Friendship Friday" each Friday until the end of the year and then, once per month after that. Drop by at 11:30 am-1 pm in the next five weeks. We'd love to see you … come to Local 706 and share some holiday cheer! • • • The 11th annual MUAHS Guild Awards are set for Sunday, February 18, 2024. Come and CONGRATULATE make-up artist KEVIN HANEY and hair stylist ORA T. GREEN, MUAHS Guild LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD recipients. See Guild News for more informastion. We are looking forward to seeing all the nominees, award recipients, sisters, brothers, families, and supporters at the 11th Annual MUAHS Guild Awards! Can't wait to see you ALL! In Solidarity and Unity always, Karen J. Westerfield From left: Elena Arroy, MU journeyman, Vice President; Tania Kahale, HS journeyman, Tech Committee Co-chair; Ian Goodwin, MU trainee, craft instructor; Karen Westerfield, MU journeyman, Business Representative; Victoria Robinson, HS DLR cosmo dept.; Bruna Nogueira, MU journeyman; (not pictured) Julie Socash, MU journeyman, Guild President