FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 05 — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees have entered into an agreement to work together toward common goals.
The pact sets out how the Unions will address organizing efforts, deal with jurisdictional issues and establishes new lines of communication aimed at strengthening the relationship.
A joint committee will be established to oversee the efforts of the two unions, which both service movies and television productions throughout the industry.
IATSE International President Matthew Loeb stated “The Teamsters are our natural allies. They work side by side with our members for the same employers, and they face the same challenges we do with respect to our standard of living, and health and retirement benefits.” In Hollywood, the Unions both participate in the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans.
Recent meetings between the leadership of the two labor organizations have led to closer ties.
“We look forward to working more closely with IATSE to represent the interests of our members in the motion picture and television industry,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President.
“Together our unions will work toward protecting the interests of our members,” said Leo Reed, Director of the Teamsters Motion Picture Division and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 399 in Hollywood. “Our members will only benefit from this new partnership.”
The Executive Boards of both unions unanimously ratified the agreement in a strong showing of unity and solidarity.
The IATSE is an International Union that represents members employed in the stagecraft, motion picture and television production, and trade show industries throughout the United States, its Territories, and Canada.
(For background information on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees: www.iatse-intl.org.)
For further information contact:
Katherine Orloff
IATSE Publicist
IATSE: 212-730-1770 ext. 150
Mobile: 240-477-3500
Email: iapr@mac.com
Galen Munroe
Press Secretary
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Phone: 202-624-6904
Email: gmunroe@teamster.org
08/05/10
