Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sara Cartwright on July 23, 2012 at 10:39am

Yes, I would. :)

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Permalink Reply by Steven Kaplan on July 23, 2012 at 10:54am

Very cool.  I'll post more as soon as I have it set up and running.  Can you give some suggestions for threads and topics?

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Permalink Reply by Sara Cartwright on August 3, 2012 at 5:36pm

OK. I'll tell you what I would like to learn about and maybe that will help. 

-Health insurance and how a VFX union might help artists get coverage

-Retirement benefits?

-Will being a member of the union HELP us get jobs? What I mean is, like SAG...give us more credibility?

-Will supporting the union or being a member get me blacklisted for jobs?

-What are the biggest reasons that people give when they say they DON'T think a union is a good idea? Are they valid reasons that I should be worried about?

-Will the union represent students or people with training but little or no experience?

Arrr...I'm sure there's more...let me think a bit. Let me know when you get the forum up and running, for sure.

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Permalink Reply by SpiUnion on August 3, 2012 at 9:53pm

Hi Sara,

Don't mean to pre-empt Steve's response, but we can help with some of these:

 

-Health insurance and how a VFX union might help artists get coverage

 

This is the big one for US based artists. The MPI insurance is excellent, and the coverage lasts for months after you leave your job. The insurance is PPO , group coverage (so you can't be denied for pre-existing conditions), several walk-in clinics in the LA area, and lot's more. It's the best coverage any of us have ever had.

http://spiunion.wordpress.com/mpi-health-plans/

 

-Retirement benefits?

 

Also excellent. There are several plans available, including a self-funded 401k. The IAP plan is a real pension which is payed for from residuals on the films that union members create. Money is deposited in the account, and before you know it there can be quite a hefty-sum in that account. This compares with the "$0" plan that many vfx places offer now. If a studio's Canadian division organized as well, then pension hours would be transferable.

http://spiunion.wordpress.com/union-pension-plans/

 

-Will being a member of the union HELP us get jobs? What I mean is, like SAG...give us more credibility?

TAG sends out email everyday regarding job positions and openings. As far as credibility goes, can't answer that one. But, having thousands of members certainly helps with leverage.

-Will supporting the union or being a member get me blacklisted for jobs?

 

No. Many, many artists in LA do the circuit of working for Dreamworks, then work at DD, then go to Disney, then R+H, nobody cares. Sometimes you even keep your union benefits and just deny the ones that your new job offers.

 

-What are the biggest reasons that people give when they say they DON'T think a union is a good idea? Are they valid reasons that I should be worried about?

 

Fear is the biggest reason. Then there's the old favorites:

"the union will cost more , and the company will go out of business"

"the union will force jobs to go to Vancouver. Well, it will force them even faster to go"
We're thinking of starting a jar where someone has to throw in a quarter every time we hear one of these reasons. These are baseless arguments that just keep popping up no matter how many times they are refuted.

-Will the union represent students or people with training but little or no experience?

 

If you get a job at studio that is organized under a collective bargaining agreement, you are in the union. It doesn't matter if you just graduated the day before, if you are working at a union company, you're in.

Steve can elaborate on the finer points.

 

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Permalink Reply by Steven Kaplan on August 6, 2012 at 8:36am

I don't think I can elaborate.  That was a pretty complete answer.  :)

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Permalink Reply by aidenvfx on August 4, 2012 at 12:41pm

What would be the unions stance on places that offer incentive programs such as Canada, UK, Ect? Basically would the U.S union attack these governments and spend lobby money going often these programs? Or would the union focus on making sure labor laws are being followed and any unfair loopholes against foreighn workers are closed?

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Permalink Reply by Steven Kaplan on August 6, 2012 at 8:40am

The union can not "attack" a government.  That is a strange notion and I'd like to understand what you meant by that.

The IATSE takes no position on the entertainment subsidies that are currently the driving force behind studios pushing work around the globe.  As an international organization, it would be difficult to take a position as siding one way or the other would bring consternation from some of the locals affected.

Having said that, its still the option of individual locals to act according to how their members request.  In the past, IATSE locals supported the efforts of FTAC, which didn't end well.  When the IATSE's VFX Local is formed, I would imagine issues like this would be something they would consider taking a stand on.

Did that answer your question?

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Permalink Reply by aidenvfx on August 6, 2012 at 7:42pm

Perhaps I should have used the word lobby instead of attack.  Thank you for your reply on this subject and yes that answered my question.  

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Permalink Reply by Kristy Barkan on August 6, 2012 at 2:11pm

Hey Steven and SpiUnion - I'd love your reactions to Jon Textor's recent announcement (that Digital Domain will support an international VFX trade union and has pledged $100,000 toward the establishment of one).

Please do share! :)

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Permalink Reply by Steven Kaplan on August 6, 2012 at 5:20pm

I've said all along that John Textor is nothing more than a Venture Capitalist who purchased DD with the intention of flipping it for as much profit as possible.  Everything he's done to date as supported my theory.  He is not interested in the vfx industry, the artists or anything that isn't going to make DD more attractive to a buyer.

Having said that, I am cautiously optimistic about Mr. Textor pledging money to the VFX Trade Organization.  I hope it spurs other studios to consider the purpose of a VFX Trade Organization and the benefit of joining.

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Permalink Reply by Kristy Barkan on August 14, 2012 at 8:54am

Establishing a VFX trade organization is crucial. While it's true that any benefits reaped by the studios from the establishment of such an organization would not necessarily "trickle down" to the artists, you can't milk a dead cow.

Is that a saying or did I just make that up? Either way...I like it.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Kaplan on August 16, 2012 at 2:37pm

Agreed.  As I've said before, United Artists + Trade Organization = Meaningful Change.  With the artists and TO united to bargain with the producers, we would have the best chance to see the most positive and meaningful change in the industry.

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