4MC
Update:
The Battle Is Joined
by Eric Chaudron
The campaign against Four Media Company heated up in November. The Guild continued to picket on Tuesdays and Thursdays in front of the Alameda Street facility, with the picket lines running both in the morning and afternoon. Our members have shown great resolve by maintaining large numbers (25 to 60 people each day) on the lines. We have also been helped by many of our brothers and sisters from other IA locals who have turned out in huge numbers to show support for our efforts.
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The Guild also started a new front in the campaign. We have taken out the first two in a series of full-page ads in the trade papers. The first was an open letter from prominent members in our Guild, Cinematographers Guild Local 600 and Art Directors Local 876 declaring our united support for the campaign, as well as our intention to route post-production work to other facilities until a fair settlement is reached.
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That ad was followed with a second open letter exposing the tactics used by 4MC management to coerce workers into signing a letter against the Guild. The week before Thanksgiving, 4MC posted a letter in the lounge area of its Alameda facility encouraging employees to sign it in condemnation of the Guild and our efforts to secure a contract. The letter has thus far met with very little success. Employees have shown no interest in signing it and have instead indicated to the company that they want a contract. As a result of the company's attempt to discredit the Guild, we have filed an unfair labor practice action with the National Labor Relations Board.
Our tactics are starting to pay off. Clients of 4MC are calling to tell us they support the Guild's efforts and that they plan to divert their business elsewhere until a fair agreement is reached. Even so, in coming weeks we plan to keep the heat on with pickets, a public information campaign and demonstrations. Keep on the lookout for our intensifying efforts. We ask that anyone doing business with 4MC, or considering it, call the company and tell them that without a prompt, fair settlement of this matter, you will take your work elsewhere. With everyone doing their part, we will win this fight. Thanks for all of your help.
Reprinted from
The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter
Vol. 19, No. 6 - Nov/Dec 1998
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