PETITION TO SUPPORT  IATSE LOCAL 161 IN NEGOTIATIONS

IATSE Local 161 is set to negotiate their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in mid-May.  For years, the leadership of the local has tried to shine a light on the inequity of compensation for many of our Coordinators working on countless productions earning well below the rates of other department heads.  Production Coordinators operate as the head of a vital department with enormous levels of responsibility; they deserve parity with their peers.  

As multiple camera shooting has become ubiquitous on features as well as episodic television, crews have expanded.  More people are hired to operate, pull focus, and support the additional cameras.  Yet even as camera crews grow, joined by more dolly grips and boom operators, there is still only one lone Script Supervisor.  Most often, this person is simply saddled with additional work, expected to log information for two, three, and four cameras all for the same flat $40 fee which was added contract in 1984 and has not been raised once over 38 years.  

Even though Accountants were organized into our local over 20 years ago, the AMPTP continues to refuse to recognize 161 as their bargaining agent.  We are about to engage in a campaign to right these wrongs and attain equity for our members.  Please join us.

We, the undersigned, support the members of IATSE Local 161 in their efforts to negotiate with the AMPTP for pay equity for their Production Coordinators, increased multiple camera fees for their Script Supervisors, and full contract recognition and inclusion for their Accountants.