IATSE Local 695

Production Sound, Video Engineers & Studio Projectionists

Departments

From the Business Representative

At the beginning of each new year, I like to take some time to reflect back on the previous one and evaluate the progress we’ve made as a union. What were our accomplishments? What could we have done better? What more can we be doing to improve the quality of life and working conditions for our members?

To be sure, 2021 was a year of unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc on all of our personal lives, casting an aura of doubt and anxiety over us all. Many of us lost loved ones and continue to struggle in their absence. All the while, the negotiations surrounding our Basic Agreement with the AMPTP dragged on for months, with the employers unwilling to hear the voices of our members. Time and time again, they would ignore our proposals to address long overdue improvements to the conditions our brothers, sisters, and kin in the union endured every day. Proceedings stalled out as negotiations gave way to gridlock.

Then you got involved and demanded that they listen.

By a near-unanimous margin, you voted to give the International President the power to call for a strike. When we returned to the bargaining table with this tool at our disposal, doors that had previously been closed to us were suddenly open. Proposals that addressed meal period abuse and daily & weekend turnaround abuses were agreed upon. Wages increased. New funding for our healthcare plan was secured. Here at the Local, we are proud of the significant gains that were made.

However, no one believes our work is done. We are already hard at work building for the next set of negotiations. We never stop. There are always improvements to be made and gains to be had. But we cannot do it alone. We need you to stay involved in your Local. It was only with your help that we prevailed in 2021, and 2024 will be no different. Consider joining one of our member committees. Local 695 has 15 member committees designed to explore solutions to the challenges that members face every day. Some committees communicate with the Executive Board to give guidance; some report to the Executive Board on issues of jurisdiction, safety, on-set working condition, and overall quality of life for the membership. All of them help to inform us of your needs and set our goals for the future.

The attacks on unions are never ending, and it’s up to us to defend our work. No one else can do it for us. On that note, I’d like to thank those of you who call in and report safety and contract violations.
However, we know that for every call we receive, there are many more violations occurring. Call your Local if you see unsafe working conditions or non-695 members doing Local 695 work. It may not be your job today, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be tomorrow.

In other news, you may have already heard that Brother Laurence Abrams has made the jump into retirement. Laurence joined the staff in 2007 and I’ve had the pleasure of working side by side with him in the years that have followed. His commitment to the members, to his union, and all his efforts to help build a better union will be sorely missed. Laurence, thank you for always answering the phone when I called, no matter the day or time. I will forever be grateful for your passion and friendship. Laurence laid a strong foundation for the future, and taking over the reins is Local 695 member James Delhauer.

James comes to the staff with a strong background, having earned a degree in television & broadcast journalism from Chapman University and having worked as one of our Y-7 Engineers for the better part of the last decade. He has also been a contributor to our quarterly magazine, Production Sound & Video, over the last several years and was promoted to Co-editor in 2020. We’ve already had several meetings to discuss opportunities for member engagement and we look forward to working with you all to build a better Local 695. Keep an eye on your emails for caucus information, focus group initiatives, and membership surveys.

In Solidarity

Scott Bernard
Business Representative
scottb@local695.com

News & Announcements

The IATSE Basic Contract & Area Standards Agreement

Contracts were Ratified November 15

On November 15, the results of the Basic Contract and Area Standards Agreement came in, resulting in the ratification of both contracts. Members are now working under the terms and conditions of these deals, which includes 3% raises for scale workers, a ten-hour turnaround between working days, weekend turnarounds enforced by penalties, and increased meal penalties. It is the hope of both the Local and the International that these changes will act as a deterrent against the rampant culture of abuse that has developed in Hollywood. However, we need our members to be communicative. The Local will be collating data in order to gauge the effectiveness of these measures in preparation for the next round of negotiations in 2024. Should you witness or be subject to any violations of these new terms, report them to your Local as soon as possible.

The 3% wage increase is retroactive to August 1, 2021. Payroll companies will need time to process the adjusted payments and send out new paychecks. The Local will notify members when we receive word that checks have started going out. Please inform the 695 office in the event that these paychecks do not arrive or are incorrect.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Booster Shots

As COVID-19 case numbers continue to fluctuate throughout the country, members are encouraged to maintain basic precautions for the protection of themselves, their families, and their colleagues on set. The Delta variant, which has proven more transmissible than previous variants of the virus, remains the dominant strain in the United States. Los Angeles County’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect, and social distancing wherever possible is highly recommended. All members who have not received their vaccinations are encouraged to do so, as fewer and fewer sets allow for unvaccinated workers to report for work. Members traveling out of state for work may require completed vaccination cards in order to receive service in local businesses.

The first rounds of COVID-19 booster shots have become available to the general public. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a mixed booster strategy, meaning that those who received their initial vaccines from one company can receive their boosters from another. At this time, boosters are freely available to those 65 or older, with approval for younger groups expected to come in the following months. Members who have had their vaccinations for six months or longer are encouraged to seek out a booster shot to supplement the waning protection offered by initial vaccinations.

Stay Safe & Report Your Job

The call sheets and added info you provide us allow the Local to track productions for safety and contract compliance and help us organize shows to create more union job opportunities. It also allows us to contact you and your crew if we receive information you should be aware of. Whether IA or non-IA … on long or short assignments … please report your jobs to:
www.local695.com/membership-services/job-reporting

IATSE Family Mourns
Halyna Hutchins

IATSE continues to mourn the loss of Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, whose life was tragically cut short on October 21, when an on-set accident involving a firearm occurred. As details of the incident have emerged, it has become apparent that this tragedy was a preventable one and serves as a reminder that on-set safety protocols must be adhered to at all times. Members who witness unsafe working conditions must speak up. Report them to both the production team and their local representatives at once. If appropriate action is not taken, and unsafe conditions continue, walk away. No film, no show, and no project is ever worth the life of a member of the cast or crew.

Our hearts go out to Halyna’s family, friends, and all those who knew her.

2022 La Niña & Drought Conditions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts predict that La Niña drought conditions will persist in California into 2022, leading to a second consecutive year of below-average rainfall in the state. As of October 19, 2021, eighty-seven percent of the state was categorized as experiencing extreme drought, with no parts of the state being considered drought-free. Another dry winter will certainly herald another scorching summer and continued risk of wildfires. Members located in danger zones are advised to take precautions and create a plan of action should wildfires threaten their homes.

New Members

Local 695 Welcomes its New Members

Donovan Adams – Y-7
Jeanette Barrozo – A-2
Robert (Bob) Berman – Proj.
James Blank Jr. – Y-7A
Austin Bledsoe – Y-1
Josh Botkin – Y-4
Peter “PJ” Campbell – Y-7
Spencer Christiano – Proj.
Terry Clifton – Y-4
Joshua Cook – A-2
Deanna Decenario – Y-1
Tonben Decenario – A-1
Charles “Connor” Grochowski – A-2
Dennis Hamlin – Y-1
Noah Hubbell – Y-1
Josh Landis – Y-4
Joey Leweck – Y-1
Jenna Moore – A-1
Nohealni Nihipali – Y-8
Metyen Oyebade – Y-16A
Rio Pacheco – Y-16A
Nicholas “Nico” Pierce – Y-4
Jhonny Roldan – Y-1
Samuel Sanchez – Y-4
Willie (Will) Walton – Y-7
Colleen Wittenberg – Y-4
Whitney Worthen – Y-8

Our Contributors

Delroy Leon Cornick JR.

Delroy Cornick (Y-1) is a Los Angeles-based Sound Mixer whose latest credits include North Hollywood, starring Vince Vaughn; an untitled Usher at Caesar’s Palace documentary, directed by Jonas Akerlund; “Be Water,” the Bruce Lee 30 for 30 documentary for ESPN, and as a Utility for Brian “Sol” Aponte on Season 2 of ABC’s Mixed-ish. Since 2015, he has mixed more than eighty-five thesis and short films for fellows at the American Film Institute.

James Delhauer

James Delhauer was born in Southern California and never made it very far from home. Since 2014, he has worked as a television engineer specializing in Pronology’s mRes platform. He joined Local 695 because he desperately needed friends. James is Co-editor of Production Sound & Video.

Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS

Richard began his career in Montreal, and continues to mix in Los Angeles. He is Co-editor of Production Sound & Video, served on the Executive Board of Local 695, and President of
the Cinema Audio Society for two terms.

Scott Marshall

Scott was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and with the encouragement of fellow members, decided to move to Los Angeles with the goal of joining Local 695. He accomplished that goal relatively quickly and joined as a Y-7A. Some of his work as a Utility Sound Technician includes Earth to Ned and Station 19. He can also solder a mean cable.

Anthony Ortiz CAS

Growing up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Anthony Ortiz CAS began working in production sound on the island during his college years, then moving to NYC, and then to Los Angeles, thriving in his production sound career for more than thirty years. Anthony is a longstanding IATSE Local 695 member, as well as a proud CAS and Television Academy member. When not on set, Anthony can be found at his home on California’s Central Coast, or on the golf course.

Ric Teller

I’ve been very fortunate in my more than forty years working in television, going places and doing things that a kid from a small town in Nebraska could not have imagined.

From the Editors

We all mourn the senseless and tragic death of Cinematographer and mother, Halyna Hutchins. Personally, I am no stranger to the needless death of our colleagues; twenty-four years ago, my friend, Camera Assistant Brent Lon Herschmann, died on the drive home after a 19-hour day and sadly, on February 20, 2014, I was witness to another unnecessary death, this time, Camera Assistant Sarah Jones on the train trestle bridge in Doctortown, Georgia.

Now we are outraged by the latest avoidable death of another Sister. Management has made all of us responsible for safety on the set. Agree or disagree, we must speak up when there is any unsafe condition! Be aware when you see something—say something, please.

Willie Burton tells us about Spider-Man: No Way Home and Delroy Leon Cornick Jr. explains his use of wireless over fiber.

Anthony Ortiz writes about The Harder They Fall and Ric Teller begins his quarterly column, “Ric Rambles and Reflects.”

Co-editor James Delhauer bench-tests the new M1 Pro & Max Apple computers and Scott Marshall brings us this year’s Emmy sound mixing winners.

We wish you all a belated Happy Hanukah, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Here’s to a busy but SAFE 2022.

In Solidarity,

Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS
and James Delhauer

From the President

Let’s talk about burnout.

Prior to the pandemic, our workforce was just beginning to tackle the production slate for 2020. For most of us, some sense of a schedule was taking shape. Productions were picking up momentum and we were falling into a comfortable rhythm. The outbreak of COVID-19 sent that momentum crashing into a brick wall. Work stopped, savings evaporated, and none of us were sure how we were going to make ends meet. An unknown and invisible enemy lurked outside our doors, trapping us inside. We went from 100% to 0% in less than a day. It was terrifying.

All the while, your leadership began what would end up being a two-year-long marathon. The day that the world shut down, every IATSE official and representative—from the highest levels down to the local Boards of Directors—were thrown into the deep end, forced to make unprecedented decisions about how to operate within this “new normal.” Amid unbridled fear that saw emergency rooms overflow, riots in the streets, and near economic collapse, our main concern was the safety and financial stability of our members. After what felt like a lifetime, the national vaccine rollout brought a ray of hope. We had reached the light and the end of the tunnel. Productions remounted en masse. Members returned to work. The new world was beginning to look a lot like the old one.

Eighteen months in, production is at an all-time high. The Motion Picture Plan is averaging between 2 million and 2.5 million hours a week. As of August of 2021, 78.4 million hours have been added to the plan, compared to the 67.3 million added in the sample time frame of 2019. This is a 17% increase in the midst of a pandemic.

But the leadership had precious little time to catch its breath as our attention turned to the next pressing matter on the agenda: the Basic Contract and Videotape Supplemental Agreement negotiations. What should have been a two-week process stretched out across five long months, during which time our members reported harsh and inhumane working conditions like never before. What many of us would have considered the most challenging days of our careers in the old world had become fairly typical in the new one, resulting in a historic strike authorization movement for which I will always be proud to have had a hand in. During this time, political activism within IATSE’s ranks swelled. Members both old and new became more aware and more involved in the negotiation process. Our collective banded together in solidarity to support one another, resulting in an agreement that never would have been possible otherwise. We have accomplished so much in these two years and we should be proud.

Again, I say that none of this would have been possible without the construction and buildup of our newfound political activism from membership. It is a powerful resource in our continued fight for better lives and livelihoods; maybe the most powerful resource we have. How do we maintain this hyper vigilant enthusiasm? How do we continue to have the outreach and engagement of our members over the next few years as we turn our attention to the next cycle of negotiations? How do we maintain this two-way street of communication to build upon the foundation that was built this cycle?

We know this story. We lived it. My point is this—we’re exhausted. Membership and leadership alike are burned out. Leadership has not had a day off since before March 13, 2020, all while members are forced to push their bodies to the brink of failure. The effects of burnout on all sides is becoming rampant and destructive. The signs are numerous and diverse. For some, it comes out physically in the form of chronic fatigue, insomnia, impaired focus, and immuno-compromise. For others, it manifests mentally in the form of anxiety, depression, and anger.

Not everyone was happy with the tentative agreement. I understand. No one in the leadership believes our work is done. But the aftermath of these negotiations has shone a light on the toll that this burnout is taking on our industry. We need to make more room for compassion, understanding, and curiosity about the process of how we got to where we are on paper. The art of discussion and political discord are being supplanted by knee-jerk reactions and assumptions. How do we maintain our political will and activism moving forward? How do we carry this positive movement into the future while allowing both membership and leadership a chance to catch our breaths? How do we grow our movement so that we can take an even greater step forward to the culture we deserve in 2024? How do we get back to the notion of coming together to discuss political topics, such as our current contract, in a respectful and peaceful manner?

We all need a chance to rest. We need a chance to repair and to refill our tanks. I recognize no one has the answer to these questions, but what I have learned from our town hall meetings is that we can present these philosophical questions so that we can discuss them as a collective. That collective will find the answers that the individuals within cannot. We don’t have to figure this out alone, that’s why we are members of a union.

Jillian Arnold
President

From the Business Representative

Throughout workplaces across the country, Labor is asking, “What are the changes we’ll see as we come out of this pandemic?” This includes our Sisters, Brothers, and Kin of the IATSE. What lies ahead for our members on the motion picture sets, in sports broadcast, live television production, live theater, and conventions? The IATSE represents members in all of these crafts.

Last year, the Hollywood locals started an IA Solidarity campaign to bring all the crafts together to support each other during the pandemic. Local 695 offered on-set work to members of Local 33, whose live theater jobs were shut down and didn’t come back until just this year. For the first time in my memory, we were all connected with a common goal to offer support to all IATSE families to help them get through these troubled times. That solidarity was once again on display when contract bargaining for renewal of the Basic Agreement was stalled by the employers, who refused to listen to our concerns to improve the wages and working conditions on production. The bottleneck opened up only when you the members voted 98% strong to give the President the power to call a strike if our issues were not addressed. In short order, when we returned to the bargaining table, we achieved all our goals, and this will change the way they schedule the workday on production. We will continue this solidarity on each set and at every location that our members work. Because of this continued solidarity, we can affect change and continue to improve the wages and working conditions for all IATSE members and their families.

In Solidarity

Scott Bernard
Business Representative

News & Announcements

Important Update to Dues Payment Policies

Regular Dues Policies to Resume in Fourth Quarter This Year

This is a reminder that with the start of fourth quarter 2021 on October 1, the Local will resume all regular dues payment policies. Most of the membership is all caught up with dues by now but for those who are not, you may want to take advantage of a series of measures the Board has authorized to assist members. These include low-interest loans, no-interest payment plans, and COVID-19 Hardship Relief.

For complete details on these policies, members can visit our website and see the “Important Update” at the top of the “News & Announcements” page, or they can contact the office. Be aware that Hardship Relief applications must be received by September 1, 2021.

Stay Safe & Report Your Job

The call sheets and added info you provide us allow the Local to track productions for safety and contract compliance and help us organize shows to create more union job opportunities. It also allows us to contact you and your crew if we receive information you should be aware of. Whether IA or non-IA … on long or short assignments … please report your jobs to:
www.local695.com/membership-services/job-reporting

COVID-19 Return to Work Safety Protocols Amended

The Return to Work (RTW) safety protocols agreement has been revised and extended through September 30, 2021. This new agreement contains many changes regarding vaccination, testing, transportation, and meal protocols. Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the revised agreement, which is available on the Local 695 website.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Please be aware that the Delta variant of the virus, which has now become the dominant strain circulating throughout the country, is many times more transmissible than the previous one and that we advise you to pay strict attention to all appropriate precautions. All individuals in the U.S. over the age of 16 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines free of charge. Members who have not yet done so are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible for the safety of themselves, those around them, and those unable to receive the vaccine due to unrelated health complications.

New Mask Mandates

Los Angeles County officials have issued a new indoor mask mandate, effective as of July 15, 2021. These new orders apply to all residents, regardless of vaccination status. All members are encouraged to follow county health guidelines and do their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19, both at work and in the community.

MPI Update Regarding COBRA Extensions

Members who may be eligible for up to six months of federally subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage through the MPI were recently sent information about this coverage by the U.S. mail and email. MPI strongly encourages members who would like to enroll in subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage to do so by completing the electronic election form (eForm) available on the MPI website for eligible members when they log in to their personal MPI account.

MPI only sent information to those members determined to be potentially eligible for federally subsidized COBRA continuation coverage. Members who have never earned the minimum hours required to be eligible for coverage through MPI, dependents who have lost eligibility due to age or other life events, and members who have previously exhausted their COBRA continuation coverage rights are not eligible for this subsized/no-cost coverage. In addition, those members or their dependents who are eligible for other group coverage or for Medicare may not receive this subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage.

While a paper copy of this election form will be made available to eligible members for their completion, MPI strongly encourages using the election eForm by logging in to www.mpiphp.org. You’ll need to log in to access the eForm, as the form is not available online under dependent accounts.

Check MPIHP’s website www.mpiphp.org regularly for updates on this topic.

New Members

Local 695 Welcomes its New Members

Mikhail Bhalla A-2
Chris Burr Y-16A
Jason Cotton A-2
Ronald Crooks Y-7
Milo Cross A-2
Julianna Cruz Y-16A
Dustin Delker Y-1
Nicolas Espinosa III A-1
Veronica Guidi-Louvieve Y-16A
Eric Irshay Y-16A
Joey Mendoza A-2
Nikolas Murphy Y-1
Alexandra Parral Y-1
Madeline Phelps Y-16A
Jonathan Santos A-2
Greg Sills A-2
Brendon Simmons Y-4
Kevin Sprayberry Y-4
Scott Stephens Y-4
Chris Torres Y-4
Vance Whitmore Y-7
Scott Widder Y-4
Jestin Willard Y-16A







Our Contributors

James Delhauer

James Delhauer was born in Southern California and never made it very far from home. Since 2014, he has worked as a television engineer specializing in Pronology’s mRes platform. He joined Local 695 because he desperately needed friends. James is Co-editor of Production Sound & Video.

Simon Hayes CAS AMPS

Simon Hayes AMPS CAS is a second-generation Production Sound Mixer who began his career in commercials and mixed his first feature at twenty-seven years old. He has since mixed more than fifty-five feature films and was honored with an Academy Award for his contribution on Les Miserables (2012). Simon is currently serving on AMPAS’s Sound Branch Executive Committee.

Scott Marshall

Scott was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and with the encouragement of fellow members, decided to move to Los Angeles with the goal of joining Local 695. He accomplished that goal relatively quickly and joined as a Y-7A. Some of his work as a Utility Sound Technician includes Earth to Ned and Station 19. He can also solder a mean cable.

Ed Novick

Ed has been mixing for features and television for nearly forty years. He enjoys being challenged at work, but should be careful what he wishes for.

Jennifer Winslow

Jennifer has been a member of Local 695 since 1990 and is currently serving as an Executive Board member and Trustee. A Utility Sound Technician and Boom Operator, some of her feature credits include Problem Child, Lone Star, and Be Cool. Her work in television includes Star Trek DS9, Chicago Hope, Dear White People, and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.

Photos courtesy of the respective contributors.

From the Editors

As autumn falls upon us, there is cause for celebration. As restrictions continue to ease and the various sectors of our economies resume normal business operations, the world is beginning to look more like the one we used to know. Though we must continue to be vigilant and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, we hope that the darkest days of this pandemic are now behind us as a new normal continues to take shape.

In this edition of Production Sound & Video, we take a look at the Sound Mixing nominees for this year’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Jennifer Winslow brings us an important report from the Women’s Committee. Ed Novick takes us behind the scenes on the challenges of mixing The Guilty in the time of COVID while Simon Hayes concludes his article from the set of No Time to Die, the 25th film in the James Bond franchise. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sports EVS Operator Edgar Lopez, who shared some insights into the joys and obstacles of working for the Los Angeles Angels and the Anaheim Ducks. Then I shared my thoughts on the ongoing global chip shortage and how it may impact our members in the coming years.

There’s a lot to unpack in this one.

James Delhauer &
Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS

From the President

There is no experience quite like that of walking into a new stadium. After several seasons spent with the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and later the Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum, walking into SoFi Stadium was the culmination of years of anticipation. For this football fan, it should have been a momentous occasion. However, the pomp and circumstance was dampened by the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Walking into the stadium after painted a clear picture of just how much the world had changed. There were no fans, no peanut vendors, and no drunken away team visitors. There were just seventy thousand vacant seats, waiting to be filled.

To those of us who had become old hats within the world of broadcast sports television, some adjustment was necessary as we grappled with the new realities of what our work would be like during the pandemic. Social distancing and zone protocols forced us to stay within designated areas. Watching the players warm up from the sideline, a favorite perk of the job, suddenly required testing and clearance for player safety. The rush and excitement of game days were dampened, filling the air with a somber tone not typically associated with the cheering, roaring world of sports television.

COVID protocols varied from sport to sport and venue to venue. Many sports elected to “bubble up” in order to keep their 2020 seasons on the books. Those that worked within those bubbles encountered new psychological challenges. Our members found themselves oscillating between lockdown at work and lockdown in a hotel in order to preserve those bubbles—separating themselves from families and loved ones during a global catastrophe. The effects were grueling to say the least but, from what anecdotal experiences have been shared with me, those fortunate enough to have been working were just grateful to be back at work. After all, the operators and technicians that previously traveled with teams for away games were forced to stay home in order to comply with COVID staffing requirements. Those who were able to work counted themselves as fortunate next to their peers and colleagues who found themselves unable to support their families.

When I approached the football season in fall of 2020, I was forced to reimagine what my season would look like. I no longer needed to fight my way through crowds to make it from the field level to the press box. I no longer had to wait for half an hour to ride an elevator to the transmission station near the dock. In some ways, COVID made my work easier. But it was also far less fulfilling. After all, what are sports without their fans?

The work itself was mired in changes. “Away Game” productions were cut from game day schedules. Simulcasts of both home and away games emerged as talent was cut down and left back in the studio or at home for commentary. World feeds, fixed control room environments where talent could provide live commentary to audiences, were often established hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from games. The cost of this new method of production was readily apparent. Something visceral and real was lost. Commentators were no longer rubbing elbows with players and coaches. The on-the-ground sense of the arena and subtle nuance of each player’s character was lost.

Jonathan Sepulveda, an EVS Playback Operator, stated that “On-the-road coverage is not as immersive of an experience as we’re used to. We’re missing out on that hometown feel and coverage.” Masters of their crafts like NHL’s Doc Emrick and NBA’s Marv Albert, both who retired during this COVID pandemic, can never be replaced in an environment where new talent is not forced to tell the stories of the sports environment.

Furthermore, the job opportunities and resources that come with having an additional away game production vanished. Home crews were suddenly expected to pick up the slack for the content normally provided by away productions. This decision, though necessary at the pandemic’s height when social distancing protocols were of the utmost importance, have continued even as lockdown restrictions have eased. Now many sports broadcast operators are wrestling with the notion that there are fewer positions available and fewer opportunities to work while productions demand ever more content from those workers they do hire. This brought me to something of a philosophical question. If you take away the talent on the field and the production crews that bring games to life, does sports entertainment still have the same electricity and luster it had before the pandemic?

The beginning of another NFL season is just weeks away and we who bring these games to millions of people across the globe are expected to rebuild and deliver once again. Full-capacity seating is becoming commonplace once more. In the coming months, I will have the privilege and pleasure of walking into a full and roaring SoFi Stadium for the first time in its history. This brand-new stadium will come to life and fans across the country and the world will unite in celebration.

Nonetheless, production crews battle a new type of mental and emotional hurdle—As we continue to wear masks and adhere to COVID protocols, we are surrounded by maskless fans who may or may not be vaccinated. The initial gut reaction of going back to work in crowds is scary and nauseating. At venues like the Los Angeles Coliseum, operators have to consider when they use bathrooms that are open to the public. Efforts must be made to minimize time and contact with those who do not work in production. Furthermore, we need to be mindful of how our co-workers are adjusting to this new normal and be compassionate toward their beliefs and viewpoints in the matter. Safety is an important key to any production.

On August 21, the Los Angeles Rams play the Las Vegas Raiders in a pre-season game. I will be forced to walk seven flights of stairs to get to the press box from the ground level because the elevator line will be too long to wait. But I will hear the cheering from the crowd radiate through that new venue like it was promised and then delayed. As one EVS Operator said to me as we talked about the upcoming season, “Isn’t that why we’re really there? Isn’t it great to hear that noise from the crowd filter into the truck?” Welcome back, fans, but please be safe.

Be Strong. Stand Proud. Be Courageous.

Jillian Arnold
President

From the Business Representative

It is summertime, the town is busy and so is your Local. I’ve been working as the Co-chair of the Legislative Committee of the California IATSE Council (CIC) with the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters and the building trades on a new bill (SB 144) that will expand the current Tax Credit Program 3.0 by an additional $180 million over the next two years. The bill and the additional funding is needed because we had a funding shortfall in the area of new TV programs relocating back to California. With help from the state’s 2021 budget surplus, we were able to get this additional funding. Today as I write this, the bill passed the Assembly 62-0 and then the Senate 37-0. Now it’s off to the governor’s desk for his signature. In addition to the $180 million, the bill also included $150 million in tax credits for the development of new and renovated sound stages. This will create jobs for our Sisters and Brothers in the building trades and it will provide additional stages to draw more production back to California.

For members who were having a difficult time filing online and fighting through the huge backlog at EDD, Local 695 and the CIC worked together to assist members in getting their much-needed benefits. With the CIC, we lobbied for the CARES Act, which included increased unemployment benefits to help struggling families. And we helped write AB 276, which is the legislation that removed penalties and improved access for those who needed to take a loan from their Motion Picture IAP account. We also worked with EDD to add entertainment industry job classifications to make it easier for our members when they file online for unemployment benefits. These are just a few of the achievements we’ve made through our membership in the CIC.

Our workplaces have become much safer as the vaccination rate goes up, but if you have not gotten around to it yet, I hope you find time to get vaccinated very soon for the safety of your co-workers, yourself, and your family.

In Solidarity

Scott Bernard
Business Representative

News & Announcements

Important Update to Dues Payment Policies

Back in March of 2020, the Board of Directors responded to the industry-wide shutdown with fifty percent dues reductions for the last three quarters of 2020. The Board also discontinued the application of all late fees and put a hold on any expulsions for non-payment—both of which continue to be in effect at this time.

Fortunately, things have improved a great deal since the shutdown. With strict safety protocols in place and with the rate of vaccinations rising daily, many of our members have made a safe return to work. Our Available for Work List is showing record low numbers and work levels in most areas of the industry are strong. Even so, we realize that some members have not yet fully recovered from months with little work, and some are still waiting for their areas of the industry to open back up.

With all of this in mind, the Board of Directors has been exploring ways to address the different situations our members find themselves in. Beginning with the third quarter of 2021, the Board has authorized a gradual return to full-payment policies as required in the Local 695 Constitution & Bylaws, with new measures put into place to assist members during the transition period, including no-interest payment plans and hardship relief.

For complete details on these new policies, members can visit our website and see the first item on the “News & Announcements” page, or they can contact the office.

MPI UPDATE REGARDING COBRA EXTENSIONS

Members who may be eligible for up to six months of federally subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage through the MPI were recently sent information about this coverage by US mail and email. MPI strongly encourages members who would like to enroll in subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage to do so by completing the electronic election form (eForm) available on the MPI website for eligible members when they log in to their personal MPI account.

MPI only sent information to those members determined to be potentially eligible for federally subsidized COBRA continuation coverage. Members who have never earned the minimum hours required to be eligible for coverage through MPI, dependents who have lost eligibility due to age or other life events, and members who have previously exhausted their COBRA continuation coverage rights are not eligible for this subsidized/no-cost coverage. In addition, those members or their dependents who are eligible for other group coverage or for Medicare may not receive this subsidized/no-cost COBRA continuation coverage.

While a paper copy of this election form will be made available to eligible members for their completion, MPI strongly encourages using the election eForm by logging in to www.mpiphp.org. You’ll need to log in to access the eForm, as the form is not available online under dependent accounts.

Check MPIPHP’s website www.mpiphp.org regularly for updates on this topic.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

All individuals in the United State over the age of 16 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines free of charge. Members who have not yet done so are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible for the safety of themselves, those around them, and those unable to receive the vaccine due to unrelated health complications.

Stay Safe & Report Your Job

The call sheets and additional info that you provide to the local when you report your work is not only helpful, but crucial at times as well. We can reach our members if there’s been an issue reported to us by another local, whether it be one of safety or concerning payroll.

Additionally, we can ensure that shows are contractually compliant when you report your work to the local. We need your help so that we can help you!

Whether union or non-union…
On long or short productions…
Please report your jobs to
www.local695.com/membership services/job-reporting

New Members

Local 695 Welcomes Its New Member

Eugene Reyes Y-4
John Fonseca A-1
Tylar Moore Y-16A
Leonardo Montero II Y-7
Santiano Luis Machuca Y-4
Moises Rodrigues Y-4
Andrew Giarruso Y-4
Shan Siddiqi Y-4
Jason Cornejo Y-16
Seth Fine Y-4
Leslie Metts – Y-16A
Nicholas “Nik” Castanon A-2
Terrell Woodard III Y-16A
Chris Rubin Y-4
Morgan Spadone Y-7
Michael Alaynick Y-8
Amaqnda Quesada Y-4

TERRY FOUNTAIN
1954-2021

For the past eighteen seasons, Terry Fountain was the Production Audio Engineer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He started the show on day one and did not miss a single day of taping during that time. For his work on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Terry received eight Daytime Emmy Awards. Prior to that, he spent eight years with General Hospital, where he was awarded one Daytime Emmy Award.
 
Terry was also known for his audio work on shows like Who’s the Boss?, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and the 55th Annual Academy Awards. His music career included working with George Benson, Bad Company, and Led Zeppelin.
 
Terry passed away on March 11, 2021, at his home.
 
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

In Memoriam

David Kelson
Y-1
September 4, 1956 – March 1, 2021

Terry Fountain
Y-1
January 15, 1954 – March 11, 2021

John McCoy
Y-7a
May 20, 1936 – February 11, 2021

James Nord
Proj.
September 17, 1940 – Feb. 14, 2021

Our Contributors

Amanda Beggs CAS

Even before graduating from college, Amanda began working as a Production Sound Mixer in Savannah, Georgia, and Costa Rica. She then relocated to Los Angeles where she has been mixing features and television for more than a decade. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Cinema Audio Society, and is a member of the Television Academy. She also serves on the Equity, Diversity and Outreach Committee for Local 695.

James Delhauer

James Delhauer was born in Southern California and never made it very far from home. Since 2014, he has worked as a television engineer specializing in Pronology’s mRes platform. He joined Local 695 because he desperately needed friends. James is Co-editor of Production Sound & Video.

Jamie Gambell CAS


London-born and raised, Jamie Gambell CAS fell in love with motion picture sound the very moment a Star Destroyer flew into a shot at the Hackney Odeon Cinema. After working in the UK, he moved to LA to continue his career, becoming a Local 695 member in 2008. He currently lives in Glendale, CA, with his wife, two kids, and a crested gecko.

Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS

Richard began his career in Montreal, and continues to mix in Los Angeles. He is the Co-editor of Production Sound & Video, served on the Executive Board of Local 695, and President of the Cinema Audio Society for two terms.

Scott Marshall

Scott was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and with the encouragement of fellow members, decided to move to Los Angeles with the goal of joining Local 695. He accomplished that goal relatively quickly and joined as a Y-7A. Some of his work as a Utility Sound Technician includes Earth to Ned and Station 19. He can also solder a mean cable.

From the Editors

Welcome to the summer edition of Production Sound & Video. Television and feature production is close to pre-pandemic levels, and fourteen months later, Los Angeles is at the Yellow Tier, the lowest risk level in the Statewide
Color-Coded Tier System.

Scott Marshall gives us all the sound winners and nominees for the CAS, AMPS, BAFTA, and Oscars. Ron Hairston tells us how he pays it forward, and DaVinci Resolve is explained by Co-editor James Delhauer.

Amanda Beggs describes her adventures on Finding ’Ohana, and Craig L. Woods holds court on his career and life in the industry. Jamie Gambell expounds on the four-person sound crew.

Stay safe out there and enjoy.

Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS & James Delhauer

From the President

In late March and early April, I found myself glued to the news. The small town of Bessemer, Alabama, made made headlines when the workers in one industrial warehouse began a quest to unionize against Big Tech’s biggest employer: Amazon. Conditions within the warehouse had become grueling. Workers toiled for ten hours each day without adequate time for rest, all while being tracked and monitored by management via mobile phone apps. Their battle to unionize was a fight for more than just equitable wages; it was a fight for respect.

The news coverage of this battle was comprehensive as labor hawks on both sides of the aisle eyed the developing situation with keen interest. Celebrities and politicians came together to lend their voices to the cause. Senator Bernie Sanders made a personal visit to the warehouse in support of the impending vote. President Joe Biden also weighed in on this issue, praising the workers in a struggle many believed to be futile. The week-long vote was suspenseful for anyone following the prolonged battles of labor being waged in our country.

Then on April 9, the motion failed. Nearly eighteen hundred employees voted to oppose the effort to unionize, while less than eight hundred members cast their vote in favor. I was devastated. Bessemer vs. Amazon highlights just how difficult it is for the labor system to unionize any of the Big Tech companies, to say nothing of the largest and most anti-union among them. Those that opposed unionization created a narrative that a collective bargaining entity couldn’t deliver on the promise of pay rate increases and improved working conditions. They argued that Amazon already pays over minimum wage scales, provides a package of health care benefits, and matches 401(k) contributions. The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union that tried to organize the Bessemer warehouse continues to assert that Amazon employed scare tactics to incite fear in those employees who were unknowledgeable about union practices or the legacy that the labor movement has in this country. It is easy to view the defeat in Bessemer as just that—a defeat.

However, this incident has raised attention in the press, leading to renewed union interest in other Amazon warehouses, as well as other areas of manufacturing. Awareness of unions in the American workforce and the good they represent are gaining traction. Our values resonate with a workforce that is overworked, underpaid, and looking for any recourse. This is especially true of our younger generations, who are staring down the barrel of one of the most inhospitable job markets in American history.

When faced with the decision to unionize or remain without representation, the question becomes, What Does the Union Mean to You?

This incredibly intimate question is different for each member. Our Local has built its legacy over the course of ninety years. Diverse technicians from every walk of life have been a part of making it the force it is within the labor movement today. When I asked myself this very question, there were too many answers to count. But in light of the COVID-19 crisis, I have become more aware than ever of the importance of continuing healthcare and pension benefits of all members and their families. I am eager to fight for family services like paid maternity and paternity leave and I am grateful for the resources available for members to continue education in their skill sets in order to expand their knowledge and learn new technologies.

The union also means working towards safer working environments and better working conditions both during and after the pandemic. I appreciate the industry wide initiative to keep our sets as COVID free as possible. I am thankful to the AMPTP and IATSE for brokering policy that allows employees to be tested on a daily/weekly schedule. I have been covid tested over one hundred times since mid-August, on various shows. There is a comfort in knowing the certainty of my health during a pandemic, so I can concentrate on my work without the anxiety of infecting others. On the other hand, the issues of short turn around and meal penalties continue to persist. I do not appreciate the sixteen meal penalties amassed in a single day due to poor scheduling on behalf of production. The need for rest and mental breaks is imperative in our high paced, stressful environment.

The Amazon vs Bessemer Warehouse union vote is not over. As of the printing of this article, the future of this vote was resting on the laurels of a mailbox installed on the Amazon premises in February of this year. Amazon employees were encouraged to drop off their votes at this mailbox via alerts on their phone. Evidence of email exchanges between the USPS and Amazon’s top execs were used in overturning the election. The presence of the new mailbox on site is both confusing and intimidating to employee voters. We won’t know the decision of the National Labor Board to throw out this election for quite some time, but it has raised interesting questions about Unions in America today and more importantly, what our union means to us.

Be Strong. Stand Proud. Be Courageous.

Jillian Arnold
President

From the Business Representative

Moving Forward
As life continues to open up and live entertainment venues are once again operating and hosting shows, I look back and realize how our union made a difference in the lives of our members and their families during this pandemic. The IATSE and Local 695 joined with the LA County Federation of Labor to sponsor several food drives; handing out thousands of meals to union families. The IATSE donated $2.5 million to three entertainment charities: the Actors Fund, the Motion Picture and Television Fund, and the Actors Fund of Canada. This money was earmarked for IATSE members and their families to provide financial relief during this global crisis.

Many of our IATSE brothers and sisters who work in live entertainment have been out of work for sixteen months, so the West Coast locals joined together to raise money to support their families during this shutdown. We come together to make one cohesive production even though we may work in different crafts and jurisdictions, we also come together to support our fellow union family in such stressful times.

In our last publication, we talked about labor playing a pivotal role in the rebuilding of America. The current labor situation in the United States leaves a lot to be desired. The original purpose of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 was to encourage collective bargaining. However, nearly every amendment to the law since 1935, and most egregiously, the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, has made it more difficult for workers to form unions. The function of the Labor Relations Board is to uphold workers’ rights to unionize, collectively bargain, and to work together to improve their workplace. Yet, as it stands today, the Board has no ability to levy fines when companies have broken the law; such as when an employer fires an employee for starting a union campaign.

The way the laws are written today, if a union election is won, a company can drag out the negotiations and never come to an agreement. Between 1948 and 1973, the New Deal laws of 1933 were expanded and hourly wages rose by more than ninety percent. Over the next forty years (1973-2013), hourly wages rose by just more than nine percent while productivity increased seventy-four percent.

Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that more than sixty million people would vote to join a union today if given the opportunity. We need to support the rights of nonunion workers and give them the opportunity to fair wages, health and pension benefits, and safe working conditions. We all benefit from unions made stronger through increased membership. A recent Gallup poll shows that union approval stands at sixty-five percent, which is one of the highest approval ratings in the past half-century.

We must seize on the current support for unions and strive to enact change. One way organized labor can help is to support the PRO Act (Protect the Right to Organize) which has made it through the House and is currently sitting in the Senate. Passing this bill would be a substantial step forward in achieving our goal to rebuild America.

The PRO Act is one of the most important pieces of labor legislation to be written in decades. The Act protects the basic rights of workers to join a union by introducing meaningful and enforceable penalties for companies and executives that violate workers’ rights. Not only does it give workers the right to choose a union and organize their workplace, but it also ensures that workers can reach a first contract quickly after a union is recognized by expanding collective bargaining rights and closing loopholes that corporations use to exploit workers.

In addition, the Act would stop the abuse of misclassifying some workers as Independent Contractors. What the PRO Act does not do is take away the rights of Independent Contractors, as the proponents against the Act would lead you to believe. Legitimate Independent Contractors can still take advantage of the state tax laws when filing their taxes.

A fundamental right of every working woman and man should be the right to organize. What can you do to help everyone achieve this right? You can write your senator
and ask them to support the PRO Act of 2021. Go to the AFL-CIO website for information on how to get involved. https://aflcio.org

The PRO Act is about giving workers a voice, not taking away freedoms. Without unions, workplace discrimination continues to increase, wages continue to stagnate, and the gap between the rich and the poor exponentially increases. Now more than ever, we must support labor organizations in order to move toward closing that gap and creating a system in which people can lead balanced lives and not have to choose between eating or taking vital medication because they aren’t being paid a wage that has increased with productivity and inflation. I urge you to call your senator to support the PRO Act.

In solidarity,

Scott Bernard
Business Representative, IATSE Local 695

News & Announcements

Covid-19 News

Depicted from left to right: Venus Leone (Sound Trainee),
Jeff Zimmerman (Music Playback), Chris “Catfish” Walmer (Boom
Operator), Rachel Schroeder (Utility Sound Technician), and Devendra
Cleary (Sound Mixer and 695 Vice President)

As the production lull of the holiday season and new year comes to an end, many of our members have made their way back to work or are in preparations to do so. In light of the spikes in reported case numbers following the winter holidays, all members are urged to remain vigilant in adhering to CDC, local, and state guidelines both at work and at home. Members who witness a breach in protocol on set should SPEAK UP. Please take precautions to keep your work areas socially distanced and sanitary in order to reduce the spread of the virus. We all need to take care of one another as we enter the next stage of this pandemic.

COVID-19-Related Financial Hardship Assistance

Members in need of COVID-19-related hardship financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, or food may apply at Labor Community Services of Los Angeles and should visit www.LCS-la.org

Additional resources can be found from the following: The Motion Picture & Television Fund, Will Rogers Motion Pic Pioneers Foundation, Behind the Scenes, California United Ways COVID-19 Relief Fund, and Actors Fund. Members seeking further information are encouraged to contact the Local 695 office.

Vaccine Notifications

UCLA Health has begun inviting eligible patients to schedule their vaccinations. Invitations will be sent via email from sender “UCLA Health” (myhealth@e.uclahealth.org) with the word “Invitation” in the subject line. If you do not have an email on file with UCLA Health or unsubscribed from email updates, your invitation will be sent by mail to your home address.

Vaccinations are being administered by LA County. Availability of vaccines and appointments are expected to continue to increase in the coming weeks and months.

CSATF Required Training: COVID-19 Prevention

Members are at risk of being turned down for work because they have not completed the 35-minute online COVID-19 Prevention Class? This course is required for members working under the IATSE West Coast Agreements (those members listed on the Contract Services Experience Roster). To register for C19 online, go to www.csatf.org and select portal, sign in, log in, and select the COVID-19 Prevention Class to enroll. If you have any questions, please email training@csatf.org or call (818) 565-0550 ext. 1200.

New Members

Local 695 would like to welcome the following new members.

Benjamin Becker Y-7
Naomi Kahlon A-2
Garret Corral Y-1
Timothy Parks Y-7A
Griffith Scott Y-4
Darryl Webste Y-7A
Zach Flejter Y-4
Christian Berry Y-4
Payton Paulson Y-7
Alan “Max” Rich Y-7
Vanessa Spinetti
aka Venus Leone Y-16A
Agildo Lasaro Ribeiro
aka Lamps Y-1
Yisel Pupo Calles Y-16A
Britney Darrett Y-16A

Local 695 Committee Sign-Ups Are Here

There is no doubt that we are stronger together. Our members represent the best and brightest in their fields and it has been through their participation in the Local that it has remained strong in spite of the challenges we face. Members interested in exploring new participation within the union are encouraged to sign up to volunteer for one or more of the following committees:

• 24-Frame Playback Advisory Committee
• 695 Future Growth & Steering Committee
• 695 Quarterly Magazine
• Broadcast Engineers Advisory Committee
• Constitutions & Bylaws Committee
• Education Committee
• Equity, Opportunity, & Diversity Committee
• Projection Committee
• Retired Workers Committee
• Safety & Injury Prevention Committee
• Social Media & Events Committee
• Sports Advisory Committee
• Technical Trends Committee
• Video Assist Advisory Committee
• Women’s Committee
• Young Workers Committee

Members interested in committee sign-ups are encouraged to reach out to the office for more information.

In Memoriam

James Crear
Y-4/KTLA
Dec. 19, 1952 – Jan. 27, 2021

Brian Johnson
Y-7
Apr. 8, 1976 – Jan. 31, 2021

Our Contributors

James Delhauer

James Delhauer was born in Southern California and never made it very far from home. Since 2014, he has worked as a television engineer specializing in Pronology’s mRes platform. He joined Local 695 because he desperately needed friends. James is Co-editor of Production Sound & Video.

Simon Hayes AMPs CAS

Simon Hayes AMPS CAS is a second-generation Production Sound Mixer who began his career in commercials and mixed his first feature at 27 years old. He has since mixed over 55 feature films and was honored with an Academy Award for his contribution on Les Miserables. Simon is currently serving on AMPAS’s Sound Branch Executive Committee.

Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS

Richard began his career in Montreal, and continues to mix in Los Angeles. He is the Co-editor of Production Sound & Video, served on the Executive Board of Local 695, and President of the Cinema Audio Society for two terms.

Scott Marshall

Scott was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and with the encouragement of fellow members, decided to move to Los Angeles with the goal of joining Local 695. He accomplished that goal relatively quickly and joined as a Y-7A. Some of his work as a Utility Sound Technician includes Earth to Ned and Station 19. He can also solder a mean cable.

Jay Patterson CAS

CAS member Jay Patterson’s career in sound started in 1967 as a professional child voice for radio drama. He started mixing for film in 1986. He’s been a Production Mixer on over forty Movies of the Week (MOW), winning the Cinema Audio Society Award in 1997 for the ABC MOW Into Thin Air: Death on Everest, shot entirely on the Pitzdal Glacier in the Austrian Alps. Though primarily working in episodic production since 2000, he enjoys occasionally making indie features. Patterson was a five-term Vice President of IATSE Local 695, and is currently a Trustee of the Local. He currently lives in Culver City with his wife Susan, two small chihuahuas, and a very large German Shepherd.

David Wyman CAS

Born in Sevenoaks, England, David has been involved in sound recording since the age of 14 when he first stepped into a recording studio. He went onto do over-the-shoulder doc-style work in his early twenties for a small film company in London. Moving to Los Angeles in 1996, David worked full time in the sound departments of commercials, music videos, TV and film, finally branching out in 2001 as a feature film Sound Mixer. After a BAFTA nomination for Deepwater Horizon and many other critically acclaimed movies, David continues to ply his craft in the New Orleans or wherever production takes him.

From the Editors

Springtime has sprung and we are seeing more productions resume as our members go back to work. The light at the end of this fetid tunnel has never been nearer. Hopefully, our members and their families are staying physically and mentally healthy as we fully transition into the new realities of our industry.

In this edition of Production Sound & Video, Scott Marshall will give us a look at the AMPS and CAS Awards sound nominees. Co-editor Richard Lightstone sits down with mixer Jose Antonio Garcia to learn about the production of The Little Things and David Wyman takes us behind the scenes of the movie Greyhound. Simon Hayes discusses “The Modern Sound Crew” while Jay Patterson tells us about frequency coordination on the set. Co-editor James Delhauer talks about the new storage unit available from Pronology, built by Local 695 members for Local 695 members, and then has a conversation with some of the women pioneering new fields of broadcast engineering to discuss the unique challenges they face at work.

We can all learn a thing or two from this edition.

James Delhauer & Richard Lightstone

From the Business Representative

I was on one of my countless Zoom meetings when someone came into my office with a look of total confusion to tell me the Capitol was under attack. I really could not comprehend what I just heard. What? Are you kidding me? I never thought a mob could or would attack the center of our country’s democracy. At a joint session of Congress, our elected representatives were going through the solemn democratic process of counting electoral votes by state to confirm the result of the 2020 presidential election.

This congressional procedure is how democracy works. It was not till later that evening that I had time to watch what happened, and to see the full scope of the attack that had taken place. But also that very same night, and only hours after the insurrection had been turned away, we all watched with pride as our elected representatives returned to our Capitol to carry on with the business of the nation.

Despite this outrageous attack we have some good news. In a great surprise for all, Georgia elected two Democratic senators. Not only do the Democrats have the White House but we have both chambers of Congress, too, albeit with razor-slim margins. Why does this matter? Because we have leadership that will govern for the people, for the workers, for you and me.

One immediate change that happened was President Biden’s nomination of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, one of the country’s top union leaders, to lead the Department of Labor. Hard as it is to believe, Walsh will be the first union member to serve in this role in nearly half a century. When President Biden announced Walsh’s nomination he said, “It means protecting pensions. Ensuring worker safety. Increasing the minimum wage. Ensuring workers are paid for the overtime they earned, like we fought to do in the Obama-Biden Administration, but this administration weakened. And making sure that we have a trade policy where for every decision we make, unions are at the table, focused on winning good jobs for American workers.”

We are going to rebuild what the past administration tore down, and it will be Labor that plays a pivotal role in making this happen. I am a proud union member and I’m very proud to see this happen. Having just completed our Local 695 elections, I cannot think of a more honorable position you have elected me to. Thank you. Together, I think we can look forward to a better year, a safer year, and a more prosperous year.

“The Labor Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and
despair into hope and progress.”
–Martin Luther King Jr.

In Solidarity,

Scott Bernard
Business Representative

IATSE LOCAL 695
5439 Cahuenga Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
phone  (818) 985-9204
email  info@local695.com