Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524900
4 • THE ARTISAN FALL 2024 Our Local 706 Basic Agreement marks a milestone in our Local's history on March 27, 2024. It's been almost 87 years since we chartered in 1937 and it's the first time ever in our history that hair stylists will contractually make the same wages as make-up artists under the Basic Agreement (including the Video Tape Agreement "VTA" and the Long Form). Hair stylists will also receive the same amount of funds put into their IAP (Individual Account Plan, 401-H) as make-up artists. We have all heard the stories throughout the years as to why hair stylists didn't make the same wages as the make-up artists: pay equality—men vs. women; make-up artists vs. hair stylists; whose work was more important to the project; who got hired first; who marked their territory first; the list goes on ad infinitum. The thing that we all need to remember is that, "WE FINALLY DID IT!" As an added prize… Not only will hair stylists receive parity in wages with make-up artists, but after the ratification of the contract, come August 1, the yearly increase will be added on top of that … SSWEEEEEET!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I was once told by an amazing contract negotiator at Cornell ILR (Industrial and Labor Relations School) that "if you ask the same question over and over, you will get the same answer—over and over." So the biggest strategy the Negotiations Committee needed to come up with and discuss was how do we present this proposal in a different and new way to make parity happen. So we all decided that since the Hair Department finally became a stand-alone department in 2006, they were no longer under the Make-Up Department, per se. We used the strategy that each department equally contributes similar quality work that is necessary for the overall look of the actors and therefore, the production. One cannot exist or stand-alone without the other. Together, hair and make-up/make-up and hair, create through their talent, expertise, harmony, and professionalism, that special magic that makes the character come alive (oh, yes … the actor, costumers, designers, and incredible production values also lend their talents to the overall look). But our expertise is what is housed in Local 706 and our members kick … (another word for donkey)!! I have been asked multiple times about what the negotiation team thinks about what we have accomplished. All we can say is, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!" So, let's go back about 18 months or so and talk about the monumental effect and commitment that the 13 Hollywood Locals, their negotiation teams and committee members, along with the West Coast Office (Director, Vice Presidents, International Reps, Counsel, Assistants, office personnel) and International President Loeb, International Counsel Samantha Dulaney, Esq., and IATSE Director of Canadian Affairs John Lewis and the time, effort, and energy that everyone put in to get a tentative agreement (TA). They all brought their "A" game! And, of course, let's not forget the 57,000 IATSE rank-and-file members who participated in numerous surveys, town halls, webinars, and rallies, that shaped the proposals and helped obtain the gains that we have today! Following is the timeline of the immense preparation that was set forth by ALL involved at the 2024-2027 Basic Agreement negotiations: 2023 • February 24 – Heads of locals begin meeting to discuss negotiation strategies and timeline • May 3 – First meetings to begin preparing union-wide survey • July 9 – First in-person Bargaining Class conducted at the West Coast Office • October 23 – Membership Survey opens • November 3 - Last Bargaining Class in-person (content moves to IATSE. net website) • November 5 – Membership Survey closes (aer the two weeks, 20,700 survey responses) • November 8 – Subcommittees kick off with assigned chairpersons • November 10 – Multi-local Town Halls begin (Basic Agreement, VTA, and On-Call) • November 23 – Subcommittees meet to discuss assigned subjects, review & make proposal recommendations to the Table Team • December 8 – Proposals due to the WCO (498 proposals submitted) 2024 • January 6 – Summary of proposals sent to BAs for initial review • January 24 – Table Team meets to discuss submitted proposals & cra the full Joint Proposal document • February 27 – Final proposal review • March 3 – Solidarity Rally at Balboa Park: International IATSE, IAWCO, IATSE 13 HW Locals, Teamsters 399 and Basic Cras, with WGA, SAG- AFTRA helped kick off negotiations • March 4 – First Day of negotiations: Basic Agreement • March 18 – First Day of Local negotiations • March 27 – First Day of Local 706 Basic Agreement negotiations (We achieved a TA) (Yay!) • April 19 – Conclusion of Local negotiations • April 29 – ree more weeks of negotiations: Basic Agreement • May 20 – First Day of ASA negotiations • June 24 – Last two days of negotiations: Basic Agreement • June 25 – Tentative agreement and the conclusion of the Basic Agreement negotiations • June 27 – Tentative agreement and the conclusion of the Area Standard Agreement negotiations Once again, I send a heartfelt thank you & endless appreciation to the Local 706 Negotiations Committee: Karen Blynder, MU - Geneva Nash-Morgan, MU - Vivian Maxwell, MU - Renee Vaca, HS - Polly Lucke, HS - Raissa Patton, HS - Julie Socash, MU - Tym Buacharern, MU - Leslie Devlin, MU - Patrice Madrigal, MU - Karen J. Westerfield, MU, along with Local 706 Counsel and the IATSE West Coast Office We must always remember who we are and what we stand for: WE ARE UNION, WE ARE IATSE. (The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing more than 170,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada. In the Summer 2024 edition of The Artisan, I ended my article with the following: We are looking to get a signed contract before the expiration date of July 31, 2024. CONTRACT RATIFIES!! On Thursday, July 1, 2024, both the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement Ratified...with 85.9% of members' votes in favor of approving the Hollywood Basic and 87.2% in favor of approving the ASA. It's amazing what a positive outlook and attitude can do in any situation. Please remember to VOTE. This is your union. This is your contract! In Solidarity always, Karen J. Westerfield LOCAL PERSPECTIVE by Karen J. Westerfield Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 Local 706 Reaches a Tentative Agreement!