600 Business Reps First Line of Defense for Addressing Issues on the Set
On a recent Friday, Local 600 Business Rep. David Behm visited the set of a feature film and a sit-com being shot on a Los Angeles set before heading out to a feature shot in the mid-Wilshire area. He was able to catch camera crews while they were on their lunch break. Behm spoke to crew members on all the sets about the possible writers’ strike and told them to prepare for a dramatic slowdown in the spring. He also passed on some positive news about upcoming negotiations: the DGA decided to go into early negotiations with the producers, making a strike less likely. In turn, members told Behm about issues on the set. For one Local 600 member, the set visit was a chance to address a serious safety concern. The longtime member had been working for weeks carrying an 82-lb camera and shooting full rolls of film before the weight of the equipment caused an injury to his knee. The member was reluctant to file a grievance and bring attention to himself but said he wanted the union to address the issue for the entire industry. “It’s not just about me but about setting standards for everyone,” he said. “Eighty-two pounds and they’re rolling for eleven minutes. That’s how injuries occur,” Behm said. “The hip goes out to compensate and you end up twisting the knee.” Because the cameraman was zooming, it was hard to solve the problem by using a smaller lens or a smaller camera. One way to address the problem without filing a grievance is to raise the issue at the Industrywide Safety Council, which Local 600 Business Rep. Vince Mata co-chairs. This is the first step in trying to set an industry standard, Behm said. Behm urged members to take advantage of set visits and let the union know what’s going on. That afternoon Behm talked to one photographer who was taking reference stills and color timing them for the production. The photographer wanted to know about joining Local 600. Another still photographer told him about a production she was just about to start in Europe with an all European crew and asked questions about how she’d be paid and about her benefits. “Going on the set allows union reps to find out things they might not hear about otherwise and to tell their members about issues that affect them” Behm said. “It’s an important part of my job and it’s that much more valuable when members use the opportunity to keep us informed.” |
In any given week, Local 600 members are likely to find their business reps on the set. While business reps spend a significant amount of time organizing non-union shoots, they also make visits to find out about the concerns of members and to inform crews about the latest union news. They also monitor the set to ensure that producers are abiding by the contract.