ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
IATSE District 2 Holds Annual Convention
by Jeffrey Burman
 Representing the Editors Guild at the recent IATSE District 2 convention were, from left, Jeff Burman, Diane Adler, A.C.E., Bill Elias, Cathy Repola and Ron Kutak. Photo by Kim Gottlieb-Walker |
District 2 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees held its annual convention in San Jose, California on the weekend of June 7-8. District 2 is one of 14 IATSE districts representing regional interests within the United States and Canada. District 2 consists of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. The co-chairmen of the district are IA Vice Presidents Thom Davis and Mike Miller, and the Secretary-Treasurer is Missy Humphrey. Representing the Editors Guild were Board Secretary Diane Adler, A.C.E., Board member Jeff Burman, Board Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Elias, Executive Director Ron Kutak and Assistant Executive Director Cathy Repola. All told, there were 142 delegates in attendance.
The District conventions provide an opportunity to foster a better understanding of the needs of the locals in the four-state area, to be better informed about the activities of the national organization and to raise money for the IA’s political action committee. The IA-PAC raised $7,500 over the weekend. There was also a presentation by the California Federation of Labor, as well as sessions on labor law and safety.
The two major presentations were given by IA President Tom Short and Art Pulaski of the California Federation of Labor.
Short’s presentation covered a wide range of subjects. He reminded delegates that over the 14 years in which he has been IA president, membership has grown from 65,000 to 111,000. The IA’s assets have similarly increased from $2.6 million to $46 million, plus the properties the IA owns. The IA’s Canadian membership has tripled over the same span. As much pride as Short expressed for the union’s growth and its clout within the AFL-CIO and internationally, he believed his eventual legacy will be his National Executive Board –– the officers he picked to help lead the international.
Pulaski and Angie Wei, his legislative director, presented the results of a consumer choice study that revealed 1.4 million unaffiliated California voters with profiles similar to union members. These will be folded into voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Further, according to their studies, get-out-the-vote campaigns by phone have a significantly better effectiveness than any other form of outreach, underscoring the value of our own volunteer efforts come election time.
Other business done at district conventions is committee work. The legislative committee, for example, recommended the locals in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada start educational campaigns to promote the Employee Free Choice Act. The committee also recommended that a campaign be begun to pitch the benefits of state-based film subsidies, particularly in California. The public relations committee recommended ways to better present the IA’s crafts to students, as well as to offer modifications in the oath that board members take at the beginning of their terms. Also, the diversity committee has been a great forum for minorities within the IA to get to know each other’s needs better.
The next District 2 convention will be held just prior to the IA’s international convention in Orlando in 2009.
Jeff Burman represents Sound Editors on the Guild's Board of Directors. He can be reached at jeffrey.burman@nbcuni.com.