Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545125
19 S U M M E R Q 2 I S S U E G U I L D N E W S And Yvonne Wheeler, President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor — the labor council known as "The LA Fed" — stressed that political activism is essential to that goal. "The entertainment industry is not just about red carpets and premieres, it's about jobs — and we want good union jobs, not just non-union jobs," Wheeler said. Schultz acknowledged that the bill still faces significant hurdles, particularly in the assembly's Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers will begin this week to evaluate its fiscal impact amid California's p ro j e c te d $ 2 . 9 b i l l i o n b u d ge t d e f i c i t . Schultz expressed cautious optimism that if the bill doesn't clear the assembly this month, it may need to be taken up in a future legislative session. At press time, the bill had cleared com- mittees and moved to the Assembly floor for a vote. If it passes that vote, it moves to the Senate for consideration. A standing-room-only crowd of union members packed the hall and overflow room, with many more watching on Zoom. Whether in person or via the internet, they showed up to hear about Local 700's political activism in the trade union move- ment. Several constituents of Schultz said they are currently unemployed or had not worked a union job in years. Falling short of sufficient hours to maintain their status as active participants in the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan, many Local 700 members have been forced to purchase expensive private insurance or COBRA. Members asked how the post tax bill could help them find work in a time when union jobs are scarce. Schultz pledged to work with the Ed- itors Guild leadership to improve the bill with strong labor standards. "We need to get the language right," said George. "If we're going to incentivize post-production, it cannot be through state subsidies to jobs that undercut our con- tracts. What we're fighting for is simple and clear: good union jobs that sustain careers, families, and dignity in our retirement years — everything we need for a good, middle-class life in this industry. That's the standard. And we're going to keep pushing until we get there." The gathering was a broad call for union political engagement that posed the ques- tion: "What is at stake for Local 700 and organized labor?" P resident Wheeler, who represents 800,000 union members from 300 unions and labor organizations across Los Angeles County, declared: "Our labor movement is as strong as it is because of you, the mem- bers who stay engaged, involved, and ready to fight." Guild president F. Hudson Miller warmly thanked Schultz for speaking with mem- bers candidly about the post-production tax bill. "He is pushing to bring post-production jobs back to California, and we salute him for that," said Miller. "We need first and foremost to get the bill's language right. Then we need to get it passed. Even after necessary amendment, there are many steps this post bill must climb before it becomes law," said Miller. A graphic on the video screen that read "Mr. Post Bill Goes to Sacramento" showed the many steps the legislation must climb to wind its way through the capitol. "Other lawmakers will need to hear from us in the weeks and months to come. All of us will need to be passionate vocal advo- cates for the creation of good union jobs in post-production," said Miller. President Wheeler praised Local 700 for prioritizing political education and activ- ism. She reminded members that "who you elect matters. Because what we win at the bargaining table can be taken away by the stroke of a pen," said Wheeler. "What you're doing here today is so vitally important. These are the discussions every union should be having. And Local 700, you're doing it," she said to resounding applause. Wheeler encouraged members to take action, such as getting out the vote for pro-labor candidates in the elections ahead, by getting involved with LA Fed events. George echoed President Wheeler's call for inter-union solidarity, emphasizing, "We need to stay connected to the larger labor movement, to our union kin across industries, because the challenges facing working people today don't stop at the edg- es of our craft. … We have allies who need us, and we're going to need allies to get our needs met." IATSE Political and Legislative Director Tyler McIntosh said in a video message that the International continues to push for a film and television tax incentive at the federal level to keep production and post-production jobs in the United States. He explained how member's contributions to the IATSE's Political Action Committee ( PAC ) h e l p e d a d v a n c e e n te r ta i n m e n t workers' interests in Washington, and he thanked Local 700 for its "renewed polit- ical activism." It was the freshman outing for the Guild's new Political Engagement Com- mittee (PEC), whose volunteers handed out buttons that read "Post Proud in CA." Members gathered afterward to express en- thusiasm that the union was getting active politically, especially on a matter as close to home as fighting for more jobs. PEC Co-Chairs Elisa Cohen and A.J. Catoline thanked members for showing up and urged them to stay tuned and volunteer for future actions and events. "So much is at stake these days for MPEG, and we can no longer sit on the side- lines," said Catoline. "Our committee can inform and activate our members to sup- port union causes and campaigns. Members can speak up, show up, and take part in the political process." " T h e s e i s s u e s a f f e c t o u r l i v e s a n d careers," said Cohen. "We hope members leave here today feeling more connected, better informed, empowered, and ready to take action." ■ 'We're going to keep pushing until we get there.'