Convention Notes:

IATSE Asserts New National
and Global Stature

by Bill Elias and Jeff Burman

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes held its 64th convention in Chicago in July. The meeting brought together 783 delegates from 415 locals, representing 102,000 members in the US and Canada.

In his opening remarks, IATSE President Tom Short called for a new “attitude of inclusion,” and proudly reported a 12 percent increase in membership since the last convention in 1998.

IATSE President Tom Short.
House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt gives the opening keynote address.
BECTU President Tony Lennon.

The International oversees 60 national term agreements, allowing IA organizers to pursue employers anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. The convention approved a $3 per capita tax increase effective January 1, with an additional $2 increase in 2003. The monies are earmarked, in part, for the IA’s organizing efforts and its Defense Fund, which assists in organizing and legal efforts.

President Short also called for greater involvement in the political arena by establishing working relationships with our counterparts in the European Union, Australia and South America. In selecting the convention’s theme, “Leading Into the 21st Century,” President Short declared the IA to be “global in scope.” He and his slate were reelected for a third consecutive term, without opposition.

“My problem is your problem, your problem is my problem,” said convention speaker Tony Lennon, President of both BECTU and MEI. He explained that the IA’s recent involvement in these international bodies will help trade unions world-wide cope with globalized media employers. BECTU is the UK’s Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union, and is a part of UNI, or the Union Network International, the largest single union body in the world, representing 14 million workers in nearly 130 countries. MEI is the Media and Entertainment International, which represents over 130 trade unions around the world in the arts, entertainment and mass media sectors.

To underscore the IA’s determination to make its mark on the national political scene, the convention’s keynote speaker was House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt. He reminded convention delegates that, “Organized labor constituted 27 percent of the total electorate in the 2000 election. If you give us that kind of turnout of working families in 2002, we will win back the House.” His speech was interrupted several times, as the delegates rose in enthusiastic applause.

On the eve of the convention, the IA-PAC held a gala fundraiser, collecting $55,000 from individual delegates to be earmarked for the election of friends of labor in local, state and national elections.

Convention Structure

The convention is the supreme governing body of the IA and the principal venue for delegates to affirm or alter its policies, form plans for the future, and elect officers. The deliberative process is divided into two parts: regional district caucuses and the international convention. The IA’s 14 regional districts met separately in Chicago in the days before the convention to discuss regional concerns. The Editors Guild delegation attended the caucus for District 2, which covers Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada.

The Local 700 Delegation. Standing: Joanne D’Antonio, Cathy Repola, Maggie Ostroff, Karen Rasch, Rachel Igel, Sam Crutcher, Donn Cambern, Bill Elias. Seated: Maddy Shirazi, Jeff Burman, Diane Adler. Ron Kutak is not pictured.

Our delegation consisted of 12 elected members, all board members, officers or staff, as follows: Secretary Diane Adler, President Donn Cambern, Jeff Burman, Sam Crutcher, Joanne D’Antonio, Bill Elias, Treasurer Rachel Igel, Executive Director Ron Kutak, Maggie Ostroff, Karen Rasch, Assistant Executive Director Cathy Repola and Maddy Shirazi. Detailed synopses of the convention proceedings are available in the Guild office.

Between conventions, the IA is governed by its General Executive Board, consisting of the International President, General Secretary-Treasurer and 13 Vice Presidents. The Board meets at least twice a year. The next IA convention will be in 2005. The next District convention will be in 2002.