Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/680832
12 The Costume Designer Spring 2016 Betty Madden bmadden@cdgia.com LABOR REPORT UNION LABEL CHANGE to refl ect the demograph- ics of fi lm. The Academy Awards lead- ership is likely feeling intense pressure about inclusiveness. Is the Academy ready to make leadership changes to better refl ect the demographics of fi lms and the viewing public? Acad- emy leadership diversity means more women and people of color. This is not an attack on the establishment, but a needed correction. To effectuate positive change will re- quire intense efforts on the part of the Academy membership. CHANGE to the collection of union dues. The result of the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association Supreme Court case is members will be better informed as to what union dues provide. The passing of Justice Scalia has left eight justices on the Supreme Court, the tie will result with the lower court decision favoring California Teachers Association. However, 26 more cases challenging collective bargaining and the col- lection of union dues are moving through the court system. The Right to Work Organization, promoted by ALEC, funded by the Koch brothers, will continue their attempts to diminish the role of unions and the collective bargaining rights of work- ers. Our union leadership has evaluated the dues payment sys- tem and the structure of member status and will continue to better educate members about how unions function for their members. CHANGE is coming in this presidential election year as we watch candidates eliminated through state primary elec- tions. California could have a decisive role if no candidate reaches super majority status after the June California pri- mary. Each delegate would be free to vote individually at the Convention and that would make for an interesting run for the presidency in November. Could we see a third party emerge? Register to vote in the June primary. Vote by mail and vote early. CHANGE came to California as Gov. Brown signed the $15 minimum wage law. The NY fast food workers "Fight for $15" began in 2012 to win a $15 minimum wage. In 2013, 4,000 Seattle airport workers won the $15 minimum wage through a ballot initiative when their attempts to organize a union failed to bring them collective bargaining rights. Nine million workers will get a wage increase in two states. CHANGE came to Wisconsin's Dane County, as a Supreme Court judge ruled against the right-to-work leg- islation signed by Scott Walker. Unions win politically when management blocks collective bargaining rights for workers. Our political strength depends on our union's ability to orga- nize workers. ALEC and the right-to-work movement are at- tempting to silence our union voices and the voices of work- ers fi ghting for their right to collectively bargain. The political strength of our unions is winning victories for working families.