Had Enough? Organize! 'Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you.' Proverb from Madagascar by Tris Carpenter, National Organizer Organizing a production or company (unionizing it) almost always starts with one or two people who want something better. It might be better pay, health benefits, a pension plan, or just a voice on the job. But when it all comes down, they’ve had enough, and they want something better than they’re getting right now. When they finally decide to do something about it, they call the Guild. Calling the Guild about organizing might seem scary, but it’s not. All information is kept strictly confidential. It’s far easier for us to unionize a show or workplace if we have a contact on the premises who is willing to talk to us regularly about what’s happening there. We need inside information to be effective. But you can call our 24-hour hotline at (800) 432-EDIT and leave a message with any information you have, if you wish to remain anonymous. Post-production organizing comes in two flavors: shows and stand-alone facilities. Shows are organized under the jurisdiction of the IATSE because so many locals (e.g., camera, makeup, set designers, etc.) are involved at once. Generally speaking, most shows are organized before or during production because the financial and time pressure of shooting make the producer more vulnerable to pressure from job actions by a crew trying to get a contract. If you are working on a non-union show, contact the Guild to help us gather information so we can pass it along to the IA. The IATSE has had considerable success organizing shows recently, and they may already be working on your production. If you’re working at a stand-alone facility (or on a show that has completed principle photography), organizing is done by the Editors Guild staff. Professional organizing assistance from the Guild is an important part of creating a successful campaign; there are many legal, technical and strategic considerations that should be part of every organizing effort. The process is complex, but far from impossible. The most important thing to remember is that you are exercising your legal rights under the law and taking control of your future. The United States Constitution provides for freedom of speech and freedom of association. You have a legal right to express your views, talk to your co-workers about joining a union, or attend a meeting with union supporters. Furthermore, the National Labor Relations Act makes it illegal for your employer to take action against you for supporting a union. Many employers, however, oppose unionization efforts; a few even go so far as to break the law in order to discourage those employees who try to exercise these rights. The typical steps in an organizing drive are designed to minimize those risks, and give you and your co-workers the strategic advantage you need to be successful. The process generally works as follows: Step One Contact the Editors Guild. The earlier we know about your interest, the easier it is for us to assist you. Call me at the LA office, (323) 876-4770, ext. 244, send me an e-mail or call our 24-hour hotline at (800) 432-EDIT. Making that phone call is the crucial first step in unionizing a non-union show or facility. It will allow us to discuss the situation and begin to understand specific details. Every workplace is different, but we can’t do anything until we know you exist. Remember that everything you say will be kept in strict confidence. Step Two After speaking with a Guild organizer, start contacting your most trusted co-workers. If you are unsure what their reaction might be, try to bring up the subject in an offhand way. "I heard that the staff over at Monster Post is union. Have you ever worked union?" If the reaction is positive, we might want to set up a small informational meeting with a Guild staff member somewhere away from the workplace. Step Three Unions are built one person at a time. You and other union supporters must spread out and find more people who think like you do. Don’t be discouraged by initial reactions; some people just don’t know very much about unions and how they can provide people with a voice on the job. The employer will play on this fear of the unknown, so try to keep a low profile until later in the campaign when you have had a chance to get the facts to more of your co-workers. Remember, there are people who are philosophically opposed to unions. Don’t antagonize them – just move on to somebody who is more open to discussing the issue. Step Four When a large majority of the employees agree to support the Guild, the organizer will provide you with Representation Cards. This card is a written document that tells the National Labor Relations Board (the federal agency that enforces our nation’s labor laws), that you want the Editors Guild to be your representative for collective bargaining. The cards must be signed and dated by you and other supporters. You should understand that under NLRB procedures and rules, your employer will never see the card or know that you signed it. Step Five Once the signed cards are returned, the Guild will begin the process of securing ‘recognition’ from the employer. Under the law, recognition simply means that the employer agrees and acknowledges that the Guild represents a majority of employees. If the employer doesn’t voluntarily agree, there are several options, including petitioning the National Labor Relations Board for a secret ballot election so that the will of the employees can be determined. Step Six Once the Guild has been recognized either by voluntary agreement from your employer or by winning a representation election, you and the Guild will begin negotiating a contract with your employer. The affected members must then ratify the contract through a secret ballot. When the contract is ratified, your workplace becomes union and you begin to enjoy the benefits of membership in this organization. Take the First Step! If you and your colleagues are ready to take the first step and endeavor to make your workplace or show union, all you need to do is contact us. It never hurts to speak to a Guild organizer and talk about your options. Our job is to help you understand the process and assist you in every way possible. We have considerable power – but we can’t exercise it without your help and support. The mission of the Editors Guild is to protect our members and promote their craft. The best post-production professionals in the world carry an Editors Guild card and because of that, their pay, working conditions and benefits reflect the high levels of artistic and technical achievement they have attained. If you deserve better than you’re getting, ask yourself: have you had enough?   Tris Carpenter is the Guild’s new National Organizer. He can be reached at (323) 876-4770, ext. 244, or via e-mail   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Magazine Vol. 22, No. 1 - March/April 2001   Guild Home | Magazine Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 2001, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700