ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
 Tom Short Photo Courtesy of IATSE |
SELECTS TOM SHORT AS RECIPIENT OF
2009 FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE AWARD
Hollywood, CA— November 18, 2008 - - The Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) has selected Thomas C. Short, International President Emeritus of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), to be the recipient of the Guild’s Fellowship and Service Award for 2009. The Fellowship and Service Award was established by the MPEG to recognize an individual who has demonstrated professionalism, collaboration, mentorship, generosity of spirit and a commitment to the labor movement. The distinguished honor will be presented to Mr. Short at the MPEG annual Board of Directors Installation Dinner on January 10, 2009 at Loews in Santa Monica.
“Tom Short has dedicated his career to the labor movement with integrity and exemplary leadership. He serves as a positive example to everyone in the entertainment industry and beyond,” said MPEG President, Lisa Churgin, A.C.E. “Tom embodies everything that the MPEG Fellowship and Service Award represents and I am delighted that he will be this year’s recipient.”
Thomas C. Short has been a member of IATSE since January 1968. He was a Charter Member of Special Department Local no. B-27 founded in 1977 and was elected to serve as Local 27’s President in 1978. In 1988, Mr. Short was appointed as IATSE’s Eleventh International Vice President, a post he held until 1993 when he was elected to be the General Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. In December 1994, Mr. Short was elected to the position of International President. While under his leadership, the Union grew from 65,000 to over 110,000 members; and was restructured to include five Divisions - Stage Craft, Motion Picture and Television Production, Organizing, Trade Show & Display Work, and Canadian Affairs. Mr. Short retired as President in 2008. (For additional information, see Tom's bio.)
ABOUT THE MOTION PICTURE EDITORS GUILD
The Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) is a national labor organization currently
representing over 6,000 freelance and staff post-production professionals.
MPEG is the world's premiere craft Guild that sets the standards for excellence
in the post-production industry. The requirements to become a member of the
Guild and placed on its Industry Experience Roster ensures the highest level
of professionalism.
As Local 700 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), an international union over 100 years old, MPEG is allied with some 500 affiliated locals in the United States and Canada with a combined membership of more than 110,000. This strength increases its collective power at the bargaining table and results in better contracts with superior benefits.
MPEG negotiates new collective bargaining agreements (union contracts), enforces existing agreements with employers involved in post-production and provides assistance for securing better conditions––including but not limited to financial (better pay), medical (better health insurance), safety (turnaround time) and artistic (assignment of credit) concerns.
Contact: Liz Haggar
lizzeebee@scbglobal.net
(626) 799-9016