[ad_1]
Utilizing fiery language like “solidarity is the answer to company greed” and “if we don’t get what we wish, we’ll shut it f–king down day one,” union leaders on Sunday held what was dubbed a “unity rally” to rev up staff earlier than joint negotiations start Monday between IATSE and Teamsters Native 399 with the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers.
Tons of of staff from all sides of the below-the-line neighborhood, from electrical staff and plasterers to editors, costumers and script supervisors packed a park simply west of the I-405 in Encino, CA. to gear up for what they hope shall be a profitable negotiation interval with the studios.
To return the favor since so many below-the-line staff joined actors and writers on the picket line final summer time, members of SAG and WGA have been entrance and heart to listen to the speeches and yell “many crafts one battle” together with all people else.
“Isn’t it nice to have a rally with out a strike?” requested Lindsay Dougherty, chief negotiator for Teamsters Native 399, whereas looking over the parking zone of staff — most of whom wore black and sported union T-shirts that learn “pay fairness now” and “nothing strikes with out the crew.”
“That is what solidarity seems to be like,” Dougherty continued. “As all people is aware of, Teamsters aren’t afraid of a battle and IATSE isn’t, both. And though WGA and SAG-AFTRA needed to strike final 12 months to get what they wanted, I’m right here to inform the AMPTP — they usually know and that’s why they worry us essentially the most — that with IATSE and Teamsters collectively, if we don’t get what we wish, we’ll shut it down f–king day one.”
SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Eire attended the rally to subject a phrase of warning concerning the upcoming talks.
“The studios and streamers are doubtless going to make use of the identical drained playbook that they used with us final 12 months and with the Writers Guild,” he started. “There’ll be a public disinformation marketing campaign aimed toward sowing discord amongst all of you and us. There shall be messaging round how your jobs shall be changed with expertise. They’ll say the shortage of labor and the extinction of pilot season is the union’s fault. However everyone knows the reality. The employers are those who’re chasing quarterly numbers as a substitute of pursuing a sustainable enterprise mannequin.”
Among the hardest language on Sunday got here from Teamsters Common President Sean O’Brien, who referred to the studios as “white-collar crime syndicates.”
“It’s time, brothers and sisters, to make them conscious that in the event that they thought that they had a battle final summer time, they … can’t even predict what’s going to occur to them,” he stated. “I used to be by no means so proud to see the braveness and conviction of supporting our brothers and sisters at each respective unions. As a result of the one factor that’s predictable with these firms is …. they’re not that vivid. You suppose they might have discovered final 12 months once they took on two robust unions. These unions like the remainder of us, we don’t have the deep pockets. We don’t have the financing however we’ve obtained intestinal fortitude. We obtained braveness and conviction to tackle the battle. And I feel all of us agree that we’re determined and being determined is nice. Being determined implies that we don’t care about penalties for our actions. We don’t care about public relations. What we care about is ensuring that our members … who make these white collar crime syndicates the success they’re … it’s not about what they’re going to provide us. It’s about what we’re going to demand and take transferring ahead. Are you able to battle?”
IATSE Boss Matthew Loeb wrapped up the rally by saying “we’re the antidote to the greed that’s been laid upon us.”
“That is our household. Go searching at any person you don’t know and inform them you’ve obtained their again. ‘Cuz that’s what it’s going to take, of us,” he stated. “It is a crystal clear message that each union within the leisure business’s standing right here collectively. And that has by no means occurred earlier than however I believe it can proceed to occur into the longer term as we construct power and solidarity.”
[ad_2]
