NEB unanimously supports IATSE nationwide strike authorisation vote

The National Executive Board (NEB) of the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) voted unanimously to support the IATSE nationwide strike authorisation vote and to recommend members vote “Yes.” This vote comes in response to the failure of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to respond to the IATSE’s most recent proposals.

The action was taken at a special meeting of the NEB called by national president John Lindley. Negotiations have been on-going for four months on the successor contracts to the Producer-IATSE Basic Agreement, the Videotape Supplemental Agreement and the Theatrical and Television Motion Picture Area Standards Agreement covering some 60,000 workers across 13 locals of the Hollywood Bargaining Unit.

ICG national president John Lindley said, “The Elected Leaders of Local 600 spoke with one voice today on behalf of the thousands of their members who are unified in their resolve to get a fair deal from the employers who have walked away from the bargaining table.”

Rebecca Rhine, ICG national executive director added, “This fight is about basic rights and safe and healthy working conditions.  Nobody wants to go on strike, but we have been given little choice by companies that are earning record profits off our members’ labour but are unwilling to treat those same workers with dignity and respect.”

Local 600 stands united with the other locals in the bargaining unit on the core principles of the negotiations that centre on rest periods, breaks, a living wage, sustainable benefits and fair compensation for work in streaming which is now a well-established and profitable business.