Lisa Xu writes for Labor Notes:
Dissatisfied with their union’s leadership and direction, a group of members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is launching a reform caucus called CREW, or the Caucus of Rank-and-File Entertainment Workers. […]
“What’s unfortunate for IATSE is that, while we supported the WGA and SAG-AFTRA very willingly, we’re going into our own negotiations very economically depleted,” said David McMahon, a IATSE Local 52 member who works in set construction for film and TV. “It’s going to take a real effort to make sure everyone’s ready in our contract fight. But I think there’s enough frustration there.”
He is excited by Auto Workers President Shawn Fain’s challenge to the labor movement to align contract expiration dates for May 1, 2028. That’s when the recently negotiated Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors contracts, if ratified, are set to expire.
“One of our objectives is to have synchronized contracts [across the film industry], eventually,” McMahon said. “Hearing Shawn Fain state a deadline of May 1, 2028, is amazing.”
McMahon also takes inspiration from how the caucuses Unite All Workers for Democracy (in auto) and Teamsters for a Democratic Union helped to lay the groundwork for contract campaigns well in advance of potential strikes.
Read more in Labor Notes.