Local 44 News

Below is a copy of the email sent by I.A.T.S.E. International President Matthew D. Loeb.

Sisters and Brothers —

As you may recall, on October 20, 2017, following allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving a growing list of global media companies, celebrities, and other prominent media figures, the International Alliance issued a strongly worded statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In addition, the IATSE recently reissued its anti-harassment policy, and Delegates to the IATSE’s 68th Quadrennial Convention in July unanimously passed a resolution rebuking harassment and bullying in the workplace. The Statement and Resolution are available here.

The importance of this topic compels me to address this issue with you directly.

We have all heard the recent stories of alleged misconduct committed against workers by powerful people. Such conduct is reprehensible, and must not be tolerated. Because of the unfair balance of power between rank-and-file workers and authority figures in the entertainment industry, workers often remain silent in the face of such behavior, fearing that, if they were to speak out, they would be subject to repercussions, reprisals, or other pressures. However, we are hopeful that the deluge of recent media reports will embolden workers to speak out about, and fight back against, this horrible conduct. We hear you, and I want you to know that the IATSE is here to help, in whatever way it can.

Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in reports of inappropriate workplace conduct to the IATSE Safety Hotline and to our International Representatives. In addition, media reports detailing alleged sexual harassment have often quoted individuals working under IATSE collective bargaining agreements. In response, the International and its affiliated local unions are reminding employers that employers are responsible for providing a safe, respectful work environment, free from any discrimination, including sexual harassment.

We will continue to remind employers of their responsibilities in this regard, because we know that all workers suffer when their workplace is unsafe. The worker who experiences the harassment is humiliated. And the workers who must witness the harassment are demeaned.

I encourage all members of the IATSE to again review the IATSE’s October 20, 2017 statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. I also encourage all members to widely publicize the IATSE Safety Hotline (844 IA AWARE / 844-422-9273). You may immediately contact the Safety Hotline, or your local union, concerning workplace hazards and threats.

Please also remember that workplace harassment and unwanted conduct is a sensitive, difficult, and deeply personal topic. I ask that you acknowledge, as I do, the difficulties faced by fellow workers when they disclose this unacceptable treatment.

Workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, is insidious and we must all do our part to eradicate this scourge on our industry. The IATSE and its affiliated local unions are here to support you. Together, we can work toward a brighter future, where no worker is subjected to this deplorable conduct.

In solidarity,

Matthew D. Loeb
International President, IATSE 

Privacy Policy

Protecting your private information is our priority. This Statement of Privacy applies to www.ddev.local44.org and the Local 44 App and governs data collection and usage. For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, unless otherwise noted, all references to I.A.T.S.E. Affiliated Property Craftsperson Local 44 include www.ddev.local44.org, the Local 44 App and Local 44. The Local 44 website and the Local 44 App are News and Information services. By using the Local 44 website and/or the Local 44 App, you consent to the data practices described in this statement.

Collection of your Personal Information

In order to better provide you with the products and services offered through our services, Local 44 may collect personally identifiable information, such as your:

• Mailing Address
• E-mail Address
• Phone Number
• Employer

We do not collect any personal information about you through the website or app unless you voluntarily provide it to us. However, you may be required to provide certain personal information to us when you elect to use certain products or services available on the Site. These may include: (a) registering for an account on our Site; (b) entering a contest sponsored by us or one of our partners; (c) signing up for special offers from selected third parties; (d) sending us an email message; To wit, we will use your information for, but not limited to, communicating with you in relation to services and/or products you have requested from us. We also may gather additional personal or non-personal information in the future.

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Local 44 collects and uses your personal information to operate its website(s) and deliver the services you have requested.

Local 44 may also use your personally identifiable information to inform you of other products or services available from Local 44 and its affiliates.

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Local 44 may share data with trusted partners to help perform statistical analysis, send you email or postal mail, provide customer support, or arrange for deliveries. All such third parties are prohibited from using your personal information except to provide these services to Local 44, and they are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information.

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Local 44 may disclose your personal information, without notice, if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Local 44 or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Local 44; and/or (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of Local 44, or the public.

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Automatically Collected Information

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Local 44 secures your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Local 44 uses the following methods for this purpose:

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We strive to take appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or alteration of your personal information. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet or any wireless network can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your personal information, you acknowledge that: (a) there are security and privacy limitations inherent to the Internet which are beyond our control; and (b) security, integrity, and privacy of any and all information and data exchanged between you and us through this Site cannot be guaranteed.

Children Under Thirteen

Local 44 does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under the age of thirteen. If you are under the age of thirteen, you must ask your parent or guardian for permission to use this website.

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If you would like to stop receiving marketing or promotional communications via Text Messaging (SMS) from Local 44, you may opt out by removing the check mark in the 'SMS Opt-in' box of your user profile page.

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Changes to this Statement

Local 44 reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you about significant changes in the way we treat personal information by sending a notice to the primary email address specified in your account, by placing a prominent notice on our site, and/or by updating any privacy information on this page. Your continued use of the Site and/or Services available through this Site after such modifications will constitute your: (a) acknowledgment of the modified Privacy Policy; and (b) agreement to abide and be bound by that Policy.

Contact Information

Local 44 welcomes your questions or comments regarding this Statement of Privacy. If you believe that Local 44 has not adhered to this Statement, please contact Local 44 at:

I.A.T.S.E. Affiliated Property Craftsperson Local 44
c/o The Office of the Secretary-Treasurer
12021 Riverside Drive
Valley Village, California 91607

Email Address:  Secretary-Treasurer@local44.org

Telephone number:  818-769-2500

Effective as of October 26, 2017

This is a Union Member Safety & Health Message from IATSE Local 44

Staying Safe When It’s Super-Hot Outdoors or Indoors

1. Take care of yourself.  Hydrate, drink water (not soft drinks or coffee). Use sunscreen. Get in the shade and rest.  Shaded rest should last five minutes.
    
2. According to Cal-OSHA, your employer is required to provide Water, Shade and Rest.  [See excerpt from State of California website below]       According to California Code the water is required to be “fresh, pure, suitably cool, and provided to employees free of charge”. The employer is to provide “at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour” for each worker. The employer is to encourage the workers to drink water.  Link …. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatIllnessQA.html
    
3. Link to the official Industry Safety Bulletin for working in Hot Conditions …. https://csatf.org/pdf/35HOT_TEMPS.pdf
    
4. Ask your Foreman or Lead Man to have an IATSE Medic on set or on location to take care of the working crew.  If your crew is working with power tools or any kind of lifts or ladders, and there’s no IATSE Medic at your location, call IATSE Local 80 at 818-526-0700. Local 80 represents Set Medics (in addition to Grips and Crafts Service.) Let Local 80 know that your production has failed to staff a Set Medic at your workplace.
    
5. If you’re indoors, ask Production to turn on the Air Conditioning for all crew members, whether they’re working on-production or off-production.
    
6. If you’re outdoors, ask for an Easy-Up or Tarp so you have a shaded rest area.
    
7. If it gets to the point where it’s unsafe, call your Studio’s Confidential Safety Hotline.  Here is a link to a list of all the Major Studio Safety Hotlines …. https://csatf.org/studio_safety_hotlines.pdf
    
8. Call one of the Business Agent staff at Local 44.   818-769-2500
    
9. Look out for your brothers and sisters. Take care of the person next to you.
    
10. Don’t be a casualty. 

The following excerpt is from the Cal-OSHA Website:

Heat Illness Prevention     en Español



California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness:

1. Training
   Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
    
2. Water
   Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
    
3. Shade
   Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
    
4. Planning
   Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Film Works Logo

Film Works CA has released the latest update on the California Film & TV Tax Credit.

The short version is that AB 1839 is working. For the full story click here to read the Film Works CA release.

400 West Washington Blvd Los Angeles CA 90015
www.lattc.edu - (213) 763-5393

Local 44 Welders with 3-5 years of experience, Los Angeles Trade Tech College will be providing

L.A. Welding Certificate courses in the Fall of 2016

Schedule date TBD

The Construction Design and Manufacturing Department at Los Angeles Trade Technical College is an approved Testing Agency for the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Welder Certification Performance Exam. 

LATTC is offering to test examinees in the following areas:

•  
• Structural Steel Classification: Manual
• Structural Steel Classification: Semi –Automatic

Schedule: 

•  
• 12 to 16 weeks

Options: 

•  
• (TBD) Weeknights – twice a week (2-3 hrs.) or Saturday (4-6 hrs.)

Class Sizes:

•  
• Written Preparation Class: 25 to 30 students
• Lab Preparation Class (Optional): 15-20 students

Fee Structure:

•  
• California Residents: $46 per unit (3 units per class)
• Welding Text Book (thru Amazon) cost: $200- $250

Reimbursement:

•  
• $250 will be available after completion of LATTC course

For more information contact Local 44 Asst. Business Agent: Victor Reyes (818) 769-2500

On Wednesday evening, July 6, the crew on low budget theatrical feature DELINQUENTS won an IATSE contract at 6 PM, following a four-hour work stoppage. The crew's unity and determination were the deciding factors in this victory. Congratulations to the crew. This is now an IATSE production and there are no restrictions for Local 44 members on providing services to DELINQUENTS.

Local 44 members voted to ratify the recently negotiated Hollywood Collective Bargaining Agreement. 5,363 ballots were mailed. 1171 ballots were returned.

• 1109 - Yes
• 61 - No
• 1 - Blank

Of the votes returned, 94% of our membership voted in favor and 6% voted against.  Full certified results from TrueBallot, Inc. are available here.

The following films have been selected by Local 44 Brothers and Sisters as the winners of this year's Craftspersons Awards.

Construction:  Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier

Property Master:  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Set Decorator:  Muppets Most Wanted

Special Effects:  Transformers: Age of Extinction

Congratulations to all the members that worked on these spectacular productions.