Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1513564
overcome. They will continue to look for industry support systems and to worry about getting enough hours to qualify for health coverage. The widespread loss of employment also meant a reduction of the funding into the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans. This reduction in hours will have a big impact on the Plan income due to our reli- ance on projections we used during our last negotiations in 2021. Now we will need to overcome that shortfall in our own negotia- tions next year. Even amid all this hardship, many of our members regularly showed up on the picket lines, expressed support through social media, volunteered in food drives, and participated in fundraising to help those most financially impacted by the loss of employment. Why was this the case? It isn't just because of the resurgence of organized labor in this country, although that did help. Rather, I think it's because their fight is, in the end, our fight. While we have a lot of craft-specific issues we need to address in our negotiations, the broad issues that SAG-AFTRA and the WGA were fighting for are the same that many of our members are most passionate about: 1) Wage hikes to fight the inflation that has made it harder than ever to earn a de- cent, sustainable living. 2) New and enhanced residual models that recognize old residual schemes are just that — old. While SAG, WGA and DGA members receive residuals directly, our residuals are a large piece of the funding for our pension and health plans. 3) Reasonable rules about artif icial intelligence. AI represents a body of tools so new that most of them haven't been created yet. Those tools will change how some of our members perform certain tasks -- but we must do all we can to make sure AI doesn't change IF our members perform those tasks. We must continually and loudly re- mind everyone that these new technologies cannot replace the human element in the vital role our highly skilled members play to shape the creative vision of the directors, to bring the words of the writers to life, and to perfect the performances of the actors for screens big and small. That is why we all stood together in soli- darity during this dicult year. That is why we must ride this same wave into our IATSE negotiations next year. That is why we will continue to reciprocate and rely on our interunion solidarity. There is momentum now for us to achieve tangible changes for our members, and we must come in willing to fight and hold our ground. This will be our moment. It must be. ■ 10 C I N E M O N T A G E F R O M C A T H Y R E P O L A , N A T I O N A L E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R The fund was created to help members suering from financial hardships and to give support to programs that foster stability and resiliency. GIVE A GIFT TO THE LOCAL 700 HARDSHIP RELIEF FUND Go to Entertainmentcommunity.org/Local700