Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542297
MOTIONPICTUREC O S T U M E R S .O R G 9 conditions. Labor organizations like the ILGWU used its power to influence the New York Legislature and made changes to safeguard the worker. Child labor laws were amended, banning children under the age of 14 from working in most cases, and the 54-hour workweek was won. In all, 36 reform laws were enacted in three years. Working men and women continue to benefit tremendously from these laws and regulations. When Labor stands up, it can change the world. Reflecting back on these women and girls, tucked tight, shoulder to shoulder, hunched over their work for long hours, no time allowed to eat, drink water, even get up to stretch their legs, reminds us that those conditions have not changed much in our industry. "Often … Custom Made members are tucked away in windowless rooms, sometimes basements, or rooms that may have been considered storage closets at some point," Erin Wenrick, Women's Finished MPC 705 member, remarks in another article in this issue, "California Union Made Patterns". Rarely is there fresh air or natural light. Isolated away from the rest of the crew, Costume Makers push their bodies to work long hours, risking their safety at industrial sewing machines, and then later in cars on the way home. A win for Labor 115 years ago after the Shirtwaist Factory tragedy does not mean the fight is over. Through collective bargaining, we make gains for better safety conditions for workers covered under our agreements with motion picture employers. We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as Motion Picture Costumers because together, we are stronger. Philanthropist Frederick Brown bought the Asch Building in 1929 and donated it to New York University later that year. It was renamed the Brown Building in his honor and has served the university as a library and classroom since.