There seems to be a little confusion out there about whether Visual Effects Supervisors would be allowed to join the IATSE and a union consisting of rank and file effects workers......
Here's the scoop:
The National Labor Relations Act defines a "supervisor" as "....any individual having authority....to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline other employees....."
From my discussions with numerous Visual Effects Supervisors, most of you have such authority. Certainly, the employers, in an effort to thwart, frustrate, and delay a union organizing drive, will strenuously argue that Visual Effects Supervisors meet the above-defintion and are not eligible to vote in an NLRB election. But, that's all it means!!!
When the IATSE wins an election at a studio or facility and is certified as the bargaining representative, I can assure you, we will fight to include supervisors in our collective bargaining agreement and to provide them with the same protections as all other workers. Cinematographers. Art Directors. Editors. Sound mixers. Key Grips. Gaffers. All could be said to have supervisory responsibilities. Yet all are covered by IATSE agreements.
And, just to be clear, we are NOT suggesting that Visual Effects Supervisors be segregated into a separate entity. We believe the better approach is to include them in a broader organization which represents ALL such artists.
Please contact me if you have any questions: vfx@iatse-intl.org.
We're on your side.
Jimmy
As you note that applies to DPs and every other key post on a film (including directors) and yet those people are covered.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Visual Effects Plate Supervisors, a position in which they supervise and ensure the technical requirements of captured (photographed, motion capture, etc) on set.
ReplyDeleteYet they don't have any human resource management responsibilities.