Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535953
Summer 2025 – LOCAL695.COM 33 MU: Joe, I'm curious about your basic responsibility. as a rep? How long have you been serving members? JOE: I've been a rep for, let's see, going back to 2012. So I've been a representative since then, before with Local 700, of course. And then I've been a Board member since 2006. Right off the bat, let me say that Scott, Heidi, and I all work in unison representing our members at the Local, at the IATSE, and at the political level. It is a solid team covering all the bases. MU: Didn't you serve as president in another local in a prior period of your life? JOE: That is correct, Local 683. MU: There's depth to the kinds of information and knowledge you bring to the table. That's important, I think, for people that they have that going on behind the scenes. What would you say is the most common service you provide? JOE: I would say interpreting the contract for members because a lot of people have questions. MU: That's a key point. I remember in my time working with you that of anyone on the staff, you were most likely to have direct memory of language in the variety of contracts that we must service and enforce. Can you describe a typical day or week of your job? JOE: I'm a person who plans for the most part. I like to plan out my week and then leave time in the week for anything that I need to respond to. I try to plan for at least a couple of days for set visits each week. I try to schedule those in advance. I also must constantly check my emails for any questions that may come in. A great thing that's been going on for a while is we have a general rep email that questions go to. This way, Heidi, Scott, or I can look at that. One of us will usually answer and cover copy each other so all of us are aware, again, keeping our team fully informed. MU: Visits? You mean production sets and fixed facilities? Is that the answer? JOE: Yes, that is correct. There may be something problematic, but a lot of the time I am just checking in on our members, their well-being, connecting, and generally just checking in with production and fostering relationships with producers if I can, and to make sure that when I take a position, if there is an issue,