Menu
In light of the ongoing WGA Strike, President Fearon announced that the Local 161 Executive Board has suspended both the expulsion process and late fees for Quarter 3 of 2023. If you have the financial stability to pay your Q3 dues this quarter, we do encourage you to do so. Paying your dues now will help the local maintain its operating budget and allow us to afford the opportunity for our less fortunate kin to take advantage of postponing their payments during this difficult time.
The board is continuing to monitor the situation and will consider additional measures if the strike continues for a prolonged period. If you need to postpone your dues payments for the current billing quarter, please reach out to our bookkeepers Anna Stein and Tamika Whittick and let them know. You can reach them at Anna@local161.org and Finances@local161.org
In addition to the Executive Board’s decision about membership dues, at the June 2023 General Membership Meeting members voted to establish a Hardship Fund for other financial needs caused by the strike. Once established, the Finance Committee will be sending more information. The Hardship Fund is currently in development.
The Entertainment Community Fund features programming that offers counseling, support and emergency financial assistance in times of pressing need or in response to catastrophic events.
For those impacted by the WGA strike, the Pioneers Assistance Fund will adhere to it’s guidelines of serving only IATSE members that have worked primarily in film for a minimum of five recent years that have experienced an accident, illness or injury.
If you meet the program’s criteria, you can submit an online inquiry here.
For those in the NYC area, you can find food pantry information here, as well as at City Harvest.
Georgia residents can find aid at Feeding Georgia and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Florida residents can find food bank information at Florida Food Banks.
General food bank and hunger assistance resources are available at Feeding America.
The Union Plus benefits program offers discounts for union members on all sorts of services
Behind the Scenes is a support and assistance program that offers grants for basic needs, 24/7/365 support, mental health & emotional support, therapist/counseling finder, and countless other support resources.
Members who need good standing letters or other documentation for unemployment filing can reach out to Germaine@local161.org for assistance.
For additional details about unemployment, including state-specific information, please visit our Unemployment page.
Unfortunately, we cannot say how long these strikes will last, so you may want to consider seeking out additional sources of income or part-time work while sets are shut down.
Entertainment Community Fund
The ECF offers assistance for those seeking housing here.
The SAG-AFTRA Strike Order extends to productions produced under the Codified Basic and Television Agreements as well as related contracts like the Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement, Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement, and Special New Media Agreements. However, producers that otherwise fall within the scope of the strike order may apply for an interim agreement. Once such applications are vetted and, if approved by SAG-AFTRA, the union offers an Interim Agreement, and the producer accepts it by returning a signed copy. Once that process is complete, performers may render services on that specific production without being in violation of the strike order.
Projects that have signed the Interim Agreement are listed here. This list is updated daily, Monday-Friday. If you don’t see a particular production listed, you can contact sagaftrastrike@sagaftra.org to inquire about the status of that project.
The SAG-AFTRA Strike Order extends to productions produced under the Codified Basic and Television Agreements as well as related contracts like the Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement, Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement, and Special New Media Agreements. However, producers that otherwise fall within the scope of the strike order may apply for an interim agreement. Once such applications are vetted and, if approved by SAG-AFTRA, the union offers an Interim Agreement, and the producer accepts it by returning a signed copy. Once that process is complete, performers may render services on that specific production without being in violation of the strike order.
Projects that have signed the Interim Agreement are listed here. This list is updated daily, Monday-Friday. If you don’t see a particular production listed, please contact sagaftrastrike@sagaftra.org to inquire about the status.
This is illegal and intimidating behavior. You should tell any boss who asks this sort of question that “my union has instructed me to refer you to the business agent for an answer to that question.” You can tell them to call Business Agent Cynthia O’Rourke at (917) 398-2531. You are under no obligation to answer this sort of question.
If you report to work and a picket line is present, be sure to call this into the Local 161 office right away at (212) 977-9655 or send an email to reps@local161.org.
We support our WGA and SAG-AFTRA colleagues in their ongoing fights for a fair contract. However, because our union has an agreement in place with the AMPTP that contains a “No Strike” clause, you as an individual must make the personal choice as to whether or not you will support honoring a lawful picket line. Know that if you honor a picket line or stand down from work, you may be temporarily replaced with workers who are willing to cross the line.
Important: If you choose to exercise your individual rights and participate in concerted activity by honoring a WGA or SAG-AFTRA Picket Line, be sure to inform your employer (by email) that you are “exercising your legal right to participate in concerted activity and are honoring the picket line.” Please copy Cynthia@local161.org on any such email to your employer.
The employer is allowed to temporarily replace workers who are honoring a picket line. It is very likely that the reason you are being called to work is because the original crew is honoring the picket line. The employer will not necessarily tell you why they are seeking a replacement. If you accept the job, you still have the individual right to honor a picket line if there is one when you report to work. Member sare not prohibited from telling other members and colleagues that the job is available because the crew honored the picket line. Please let the union office know you are being offered work on a picketed show by emailing reps@local161.org.
Employers are allowed to temporarily replace workers who are observing picket lines. You should make clear to your employer that you are ready, willing and able to work. You are not prohibited from telling other members and colleagues that the reason you are temporarily replaced is because you honored the picket line.
Many shows are sending out incorrect callsheets or changing call times abruptly in order to avoid picketers from disrupting the production. Please report this behavior and forward false call sheets, corrected call sheets or text messages with correct information to reps@local161.org.
Members should report to work as instructed by the employer, but please keep us informed so we know when and where you are reporting work.
All active IATSE members and those working under IATSE agreements have unlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning online library of high-quality, instructional videos across a wide spectrum of technologies. LinkedIn Learning is designed for all levels of learners with courses taught by recognized industry experts, and it’s available whenever you’re ready to learn. You can view courses from your mobile device with the LinkedIn Learning app available on iOS or Android.
Email your completed application to lil@iatsetrainingtrust.org. You will receive a subscription request confirmation email followed by a welcome email containing a link to set up your LinkedIn Learning account.
Members also have access to the Training Trust Fund’s “Safety First!” online courses, which promote safe working conditions by providing information, tools, and resources to recognize potential hazards and minimize risks. Case studies from the various crafts are included, making the curriculum relevant across the IATSE workforce.
IATSE workers can take the online courses in whichever order they’d like and start or stop at any point and pick up where they left off on any computer or mobile device.
Email your completed application to onlinecourses@iatsetrainingtrust.org. We will email your unique password within a few days. Use this password to log into your account and start taking courses.
Important: The current LinkedIn Learning subscription year ends on August 31st. Applications received between August 1st and August 31st are being processed during this time, and new accounts will be created on September 1st.
Creation of new Safety First! accounts will be temporarily suspended from August 1st – August 31st. Applications will continue to be processed during this time and new accounts will be created on September 1st.
