New Rules for Shop Stewards

  Shop Steward rules are now available for review and download.

You can find them by clicking here...

IA President Thomas C. Short Announces Retirement

  SAN DIEGO, July 31 – Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, announced his retirement, at the IA’s mid-Summer General Executive Board Meeting held at the Westin Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp district.

A member of the IA for over 40 years, and an elected official for the past 21 years, Short became president in 1994, and stated then that his goals were to make the IA a better organization and to provide the best representation possible for the entire membership in the US and Canada. He has accomplished many of his goals and exceeded more.

During Short’s tenure, the IA has become the largest entertainment union in the world with an increase in membership of more than 50%, covering over 400 Locals and more than 110,000 members in the US, Its territories, and Canada. As a result, the assets of the Alliance have increased to nearly $50 million and allowed the purchase of two buildings located in Toluca Lake, California, and Ontario, Canada. Under Short’s leadership, the union has been restructured to include five Divisions (Stage Craft, Motion Picture and Television Production, Organizing, Trade Show & Display Work, and Canadian Affairs), allowing for greater focus on the needs of various sectors of the membership.

Matthew D. Loeb Elected President of IATSE

  The IATSE General Executive Board has unanimously elected International President Matthew D. Loeb this afternoon, filling the vacancy left upon the retirement of International President Emeritus Thomas C. Short. President Loeb has been a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 since 1989, a member of Local 52 since 1996, and is a Charter Member of Local 491 (established in 1994). He became an International Representative in June, 1994. Loeb was also the IATSE’s first Division Director of Motion Picture and Television Production, appointed to that position upon the restructuring of the Alliance and the establishment of divisions. He was elected by the General Executive Board to the position of International Vice President in February 2002 and at the 65th Convention in 2005. In addition, he served as Chairman of the East Coast Council for better than 14 years.

“I enter into the position of International President with the deepest sense of obligation to the members, who number better than 111,000, and their families. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tom Short who made desperately needed institutional changes that will allow me to continue to build on a solid foundation. We are well positioned to meet the challenges of the future,” Loeb said.

Letter from President Short

  June 20,2008

TO THE PRESIDENTS OF ALL IATSE LOCALS IN U.S.A

Dear Members,

America's working families and the middle class are being squeezed harder than ever in an unfair economy. Between stagnant wages and soaring costs for fuel, food and health care, many hard-working families are hurting as never before. Many of our neighbors are facing the threat of mortgage foreclosure. One housing organization estimates that as many as 2,000,000 children will become homeless over the next few years as their family's home is foreclosed. As IATSE works to turn America around, we want to remember our neighbors in need, many for the first time ever.

United Way has been the human services partner of unions through the AFL-CIO Community Services network for more than 60 years. United Way works to see that contributions go directly to programs having real impact in cornrnunitics, really changing the lives of those they help. United Way has also partnered with unions to promote health care for children, early childhood development, education and financial stability for families.

I endorse the 2008 United Way Campaign in the communities where our members live and work, and I invite members of IATSE to consider a contribution in support of the good work of the United Way and the AFL-CIO Community Services network it helps fund.

Thank you for your consideration.

In Solidarity,

Thomas Short
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Local Scenes on the Silver Screen

 
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – The Baltimore Museum of Industry [BMI] presents an exhibit of original artifacts, objects and behind the scenes footage from HBO’s The Wire and other television and movie productions filmed in Baltimore. The exhibit Local Scenes on the Silver Screen: “Featuring the Wire,” will run from April 30, 2008 through December 30, 2008.