Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525212
10 C I N E M O N T A G E D I S T R I C T 2 will be no deal," Loeb thundered to cheers and applause. Loeb acknowledged the unprecedented unity in the convention hall, saying he feels more empowered at the bargaining table. "Members have had it! And they stood up," he said. "That has put us in a position where we can ask for things that we prob- ably couldn't have achieved in the past without that power. And that comes from the membership. But it also comes from the commitment of the leadership. And I want to thank everybody who is in that room bargaining with us," Loeb said. "And I think if we stay this course, we are going to have a deal that we can be proud of, that the members will see as security for their futures, and ratify." "I don't think there is a better time in history to be a member of the IA," added District Chair and IA Vice President Mike Miller. "The unprecedented solidarity that we're going to celebrate this weekend is the driver of what is going to be one of the most successful contract negotiations in our history. And that's all because our members are standing together. And the employers know it's real, and that's going to pay divi- dends for us in a couple of weeks when we get back to the table." RESOLUTION TO GET OUT THE VOTE At every IA convention, delegations can submit resolutions on a variety of subjects that are in the interest of the union and its members. These usually are symbolic statements, though sometimes they urge the locals of the district to take action. Editors Guild delegates discussed at their pre-convention meeting that, being one of the largest locals in the district, there are thousands of Guild members who could play a vital role in the upcoming November election and volunteer to get out the vote through phone and text banking and can- vassing — not only in the critical race for president, but also for congressional and down-ballot races. The campaigns for the next senators in Arizona and Nevada are rated as toss-ups, as are a handful of con- gressional districts in California. The resolution — titled "Get Out the Vote in 2024 to Strengthen and Preserve Labor Unions and American Democracy" — was written by a workgroup composed of picture editors Shannon Baker Davis, Shiran Miller and this reporter. The resolution was read on the floor and stressed among its key points: That the locals of District 2 "recognize that in a democracy our rights as union members are undeniably linked to our political rights, and thus, it is our civic duty to exercise our fundamental right to vote;" And that "vigorous participation and a high voter turnout for pro-worker candi- dates is vital to the health of our union and our union kin, and to the future success of the labor movement, and that voter apathy works against our collective interests;" And in a clear reference to President Joe Biden, the resolution pointed out that "the IATSE Executive Board has endorsed a pro union presidential candidate, who has walked a union picket line, who is an enthusiastic supporter of workers and the right to organize." And it was therefore resolved "that the locals of IATSE District 2 affirm the utmost importance of voting in national, state and local elections being held in 2024, and pro- actively encourage members to inform and educate and inspire their fellow union kin to register, vote, and volunteer to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) through all vocal, written and electronic means — be it by phone banking, text banking, canvassing, writing postcards to voters, and/or offering rides to those in need — and then encourage others to do the same." And it was further resolved that all union members in the district "make an informed vote, while made aware of the political endorsements of the IATSE, to elect and re-elect national, state and local candidates who support unions, the right to organize, and who promote tangible action in favor of organized labor." The resolution — the first submitted by the Editors Guild to an IA convention in de- cades — passed unanimously to resounding applause in the hall. President Loeb addressed the IATSE executive board's unanimous endorsement in the presidential election, saying "the choice is Joe Biden. Joe Biden has increased our power and our voice, and we have access to folks at the White House in a way we never had before. We have a president who is the strongest labor supporter of any pres- ident that we have ever had. Who appoints people to the Labor Board or the Depart- ment of Labor, who lets us in the room and gives us a voice at the table," said Loeb. President Alan Heim committed that the Editors Guild would be active in voter outreach efforts. "I am proud of our dele- gates for drafting and garnering unanimous support of our resolution. There is a lot at risk for union members in the upcoming National Executive Director Cathy Repola and Western Director Scott George. P H OT O : F. H U D S O N M I L L E R SEE PAGE 61