IATSE ratifies three-year contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-iatse21-2009mar21,0,1578678.story

The union, which represents more than 35,000 film and TV workers, fends off a campaign by dissidents who accused their leaders of selling them short at the bargaining table.
By Richard Verrier
7:10 PM PDT, March 20, 2009
A union representing more than 35,000 film and TV workers has approved a new three-year contract, fending off a vigorous opposition campaign by dissidents who accused their leaders of selling them short at the bargaining table.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said today that the contract, which was largely modeled on similar agreements negotiated by other Hollywood unions, was unanimously endorsed by all 15 Hollywood local groups. The alliance did not release a vote count.



The contract, which goes into effect Aug. 1, includes some modest pay hikes but also cuts in health and pension benefits. The new benefits package includes a provision that raises the number of hours a member must work every six months to keep health insurance coverage to 400 from 300.

Contract opponents expressed alarm over a provision in the contract that eliminates traditional job classifications and staffing requirements for programs created for the Internet.

FULL story at link.