In my last newsletter I asked that we all look for ways in which
we might help each other through the challenging times we are
experiencing.
As we approach the 66th Quadrennial Convention of this great Alliance
that message continues to resonate. We will come together in Convention
session to act on a number of issues that will take us forward in unity by
focusing on our common goal of always keeping the best interests of our
membership in mind. As we do so, we must reflect on the past, evaluate the
present, and consider the future.
With that as our main focus, we must adopt a shared vision for the future
by identifying specific goals that we strive to attain, a vision that reflects the
broad body of work to be completed and each project or initiative to be
undertaken.
With all that we are facing both domestically and internationally on the
economic and political fronts, our industry is facing challenges and so far is
remaining relatively healthy.
While multi-national corporations operating in the entertainment industry
have their own financial problems, we can take pride in the fact that our
members have brought entertainment to millions of people looking for
escape and a little hope.
In the early years of the IA, movies were a cottage industry, television
didn’t exist, and theatre was finding its way out of the vaudeville tradition.
Today, control of almost all media is held in the hands of a few conglomerates
that own not only motion picture studios, but television production
companies, legitimate theatres, theme and amusement parks, arenas, and
even newspapers and television stations, not to mention the companies they
control that are outside the entertainment industry, but that contribute to
their profit margins. It is ever so evident that many of our crafts are dealing
with the same employers over multiple contracts and various media, presenting
new challenges to us on a regular basis. We must, therefore, come
together even more, share information across craft and geographic lines, all
the while respecting the autonomy, heritage and uniqueness of each Local.
We must adapt so that our structure strengthens our ability to succeed on
behalf of the members and never let our adversaries use it to divide us.
We must also plan for changes we will face in the future. We will continue
to support worker-friendly legislation. We will continue to organize everywhere
we can. And above all we will do our best to make certain that our
members always come first.
