Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541330
"I still, aer all of these years, love coming to work. I love the people that I work with. I love my crew and I love the work I do." —ANTOINETTE MUTO healthcare and a pension." A lot of the work they are doing currently is for nonunion projects, yet because Muto- Lile is a union shop, their employees will be paid according to IATSE contracts. "It's the best because all of these people are geing their union hours." Antoinee mentioned that she wished more Costumers and designers would recognize the advantage of working with a union workroom. Not only is the quality superior, but the employees are guaranteed their union wages and benefits. When Antoinee and Kimberly are hired, they are looking for people with a strong theatre background and a union member. The pace of the workroom demands a high level of experience. For Antoinee, seeing what you can do at the machine is more important than prey pictures in your portfolio. She needs to know your speed, your accuracy, and your finishing. Unfortunately, Muto-Lile does not have the capacity to train new stitchers. But if you can pass muster, she will put you on the list. Antoinee said that when she needs extra help or a new hire, she always goes to Local 705's availability list first. "I feel like those are the people I need to keep employed first." Beyond that, she will go to her list. She said that a few people have goen their union days working at Muto-Lile from being hired off her list. Antoinee hopes that in this way, she is bringing more experienced people into the Local. When asked what she thinks makes Muto-Lile stand out from the other custom-made workrooms, Antoinee answered, "I think what we have is the MOTIONPICTUREC O S T U M E R S .O R G 41 team. I think the value in our shop is the group. It's the sum of the parts as opposed to the parts I've got." Each of her team is capable of the whole, but they also bring something that they are passionate about to the table. Antoinee and Kimberly are very aware of the strengths in the workroom, and they assign the work accordingly. It is also the atmosphere. "We have fun. We celebrate birthdays and we have a party at Christmas. They go for walks together on breaks. Everybody here is friends with each other. They support each other. And I think people feel very