Business Manager’s Message – July 2024

Negotiations Update

Brothers & Sisters,

We are approaching the end of the month and the end of our Motion Picture Basic Agreement with the AMPTP, and our Supplemental Agreement with Universal Studios Hollywood. Several months ago, we began negotiations with IATSE regarding our shared benefit plans, and for the last six weeks, we have been working on our agreement seeking a deal that our members deserve.

Last Thursday, July 18, IATSE announced it had ratified its new agreement with an 85.9% YES vote. This being the first time since 1988 that we have collaborated on our shared MPIPHP Benefits, and we are proud to have stood alongside IATSE in the fight to protect our benefits.  

Local 40 and the Basic Crafts remain in negotiations with the AMPTP and have continued our negotiations with the AMPTP through today. We had hoped to come to terms well before expiration in hopes of having time to review with all of you and ratify before expiration. That being said, we still have outstanding issues that the Producers have yet to address, and are continuing talks this week. With our contracts set to expire on July 31st, we remain united with the rest of the Basic Crafts and are committed to achieving a deal that our members deserve.

While we are still unable to report on the details, I will share that we have made some progress, and there is reason to be optimistic. But we still have more work to do, and we are continuing the fight for a fair contract. As soon as we are able to report on the details, we will be reaching out to you.

USH Supplemental UPDATE

At the same time we are negotiating our Basic Agreement, we have also been meeting with Universal Studios Hollywood to renew our Supplemental Agreement. After meeting several times with the company, we have yet to hear an offer that comes close to what we need. We have been able to have some good dialogue in some areas, but talks have proven difficult in other areas. The process thus far has been frustrating, and we are looking at additional dates to continue to fight for a deal that respects the skills and value we provide. 

Training UPDATES

We have been working hard to add new journeyman training. In addition to the recently added Foreman class, we are working on tentative dates for some new courses. We have a portable power distribution class (generators) scheduled for Saturday, September 14. The following weekend we have the new WECAT (Smart Buildings) course for the weekend of September 21st and 22nd.  We are also nearing completion of the Fiber splicing course and we hope to be ready before the end of the year.

If you are interested in any of these offerings, please email the training director at JATC@ibew40.org.

As a reminder, our General Membership meeting is scheduled for next week and we will be swearing in the officers for the next term. I hope to see you there.

In Solidarity,

Stephan Davis
Business Manager
Financial Secretary