Local 600 National Executive Board Recommends Ratification of Proposed Contract

The Guild’s National Executive Board on Jan. 11 voted overwhelmingly to recommend ratification of the proposed IATSE/AMPTP Basic Agreement to members of the International Cinematographers Guild.

The 39-18 vote came during a special tele-conferenced National Executive Board meeting to discuss the proposed contract. The vote was taken after more than two hours of questions, commentary and discussion, and included debate on a variety of points.

“Given the economic realities of our industry and the world right now, the NEB came to the same consensus as the IATSE bargaining unit – that this is the best contract that could be negotiated without the threat of a strike,” noted President Steven Poster following the vote.

To answer questions and concerns that members may have regarding the Agreement, as well as explain the ratification recommendation, President Steven Poster has called a Special National Membership meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24. Notice of that meeting has been mailed to the membership and is available on the Guild website, www.cameraguild.com. For members who are outside the geographic areas of the Local’s offices, the Local will provide streaming video, which will enable you to attend the meeting. This will be the first National Membership Meting to use this technology.

"I encourage you all to set aside the time to take part in this meeting so that you can be clear on what the new contract would mean, and how the IATSE's negotiating team reached this tentative deal,” said Poster.

Poster added that he is committed to maintaining an open dialogue with all members regarding questions and concerns with the proposed contract. “The IATSE and AMPTP are in the process of finalizing the Memorandum of Agreement which will be sent to members along with a secret ballot,” Poster said. “We will send these materials as soon as we get them.”

For more information on frequently asked questions about the contract, read the Q&A with President Poster and National Executive Director Bruce Doering on www.CameraGuild.com.

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