Nov. 4 – As a result of talks between the IATSE and executives at the American Film Institute, the AFI management at its Silver Theater and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland negotiated an agreement with the union to represent the theater’s “front of house” employees.

The workers at the venue had signed cards authorizing the union to bargain on their behalf. IATSE President Matthew Loeb put pressure on the company by informing the public of the dispute, and by threatening potential action at the site of the AFI Fest in Los Angeles if the matter remained unresolved. President Loeb was in Los Angeles and had planned to be present for any necessary activities.

An agreement providing significant wage, benefit and condition improvements was reached on November 4th, 2009.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC (IATSE) is one of the largest entertainment labor unions in the world and represents over 110,000 technicians, artisans and craftspeople employed in stagecraft, motion picture and television production, the trade show industry, and affiliated crafts throughout the United States, Its Territories and Canada.

For further information contact:
Katherine Orloff
IATSE Publicist
IATSE: 212-730-1770 ext. 150
Mobile: 240-477-3500
Email: iapr@mac.com