With the IATSE C.A.R.E.S. (Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service) program well underway, the International is now ready to roll out the next phase: C.A.R.E. calls.
With C.A.R.E. calls, they are on a mission to check in with every member. In these calls volunteers provide members with information about the various support initiatives available through the international. We will be attempting to sign up more Members In Need for our delivery system and buddy system, as well as drive members to our Financial Aid and mental health non-profit partners.
We expect the first of these calls to go out early next week. If you have questions about these calls, please be assured that these calls are legitimate.

Sisters, Brothers, Kin --

The undersigned guilds and unions represent the diverse, professional workforce that, in ordinary times, come together on productions throughout each year to bring our stories to life for audiences across the globe. Now, in this time when the coronavirus pandemic has brought an unprecedented challenge to our industry, our solidarity is more important than ever before.

We come together on behalf of our respective memberships to ensure coordination between our efforts to secure relief, financial support and other critical assistance for the working professionals in this industry. Our members understand the unique power of collective action. Through our unity, we reinforce that power to safeguard our members as much as possible during the extraordinary set of events we face today.

As always, our first concern is your safety and health, and that of your loved ones. We urge members to follow the updated guidance from the CDC and other government authorities in your area. This includes practicing rigorous sanitation efforts and abiding by the “social distancing” directives now in effect across the country. This not only helps to keep you safe but contributes to the effort to bring the pandemic under control, which allows everyone to return to work more quickly. We can all be a part of the solution to this crisis and we hope that each of us takes our role in this effort seriously.

As you know, each of the undersigned organizations has engaged in measures to provide relief and support for our respective memberships. However, it is important that you know that we also have worked together, and with industry and labor allies, in a variety of ways to protect our members. This includes: advocating for the inclusion of our workforce in the direct cash payments and expanded unemployment insurance available in the federal government’s aid packages recently passed by Congress; ensuring as many of our members as possible are included in state assistance programs across the country; channeling urgently needed donations to the industry’s charitable organizations that give direct support to the industry’s workforce; sharing information and ideas on ways to support the sustained financial well-being of our pension and health plans, which are all impacted by the pandemic; and monitoring and addressing, however needed, the steps taken by companies in response to this crisis – steps that directly impact our members.

Importantly, we are also focused on the protective measures that will need to be enacted to keep professionals safe on production sets and other work environments once people can return to work.

We are pleased to report that the above efforts have been fortified in ways great and small by partners and allies throughout the industry, several of which have agreed to find ways to direct resources to our members and to coordinate on various relief efforts. Such measures showcase the best virtues of our industry and are greatly appreciated.

The above steps are significant but we remain keenly aware that even successful efforts cannot end the steep financial challenges most of our members face during this time. If you are in need, we encourage you to apply to the emergency relief funds listed below. If you are able to do so, please consider donating to these relief funds. The need has never been greater and every dollar helps.

As well, each of our organizations has created, and is updating, special COVID-19 internet resources with available guidelines, resources and support to assist you during this time of need. At the end of this communication, you will find links to the key sites.

We do not know when this national emergency will subside sufficiently to allow productions and other elements of the industry to begin opening back up for business. However, we do share a great faith that our industry will return with vigor and present abundant opportunities for our members to work and to reengage in the craft of delivering entertainment to audiences around the world.

Until such time arrives, we stand united as the industry’s guilds and unions to work on your behalf. We stand with you in this crisis, knowing that our solidarity is a core strength that will sustain all of us in the challenging days ahead.

In solidarity,
Ray Hair
International President
American Federation of Musicians

Thomas Schlamme
President
Directors Guild of America

Russell Hollander
National Executive Director
Directors Guild of America

Matthew Loeb
International President
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

James P. Hoffa
General President
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Gabrielle Carteris
President
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

David P. White
National Executive Director
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Beau Willimon
President
Writers Guild of America, East

Lowell Peterson
Executive Director
Writers Guild of America, East

COVD19 RESOURCES:
American Federation of Musicians: https://www.afm.org/covid-19/

Directors Guild of America: https://www.dga.org/The-Guild/Coronavirus-Resources-and-Updates.aspx

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees: https://www.iatse.net/coronavirus-update-portal

International Brotherhood of Teamsters: https://teamster.org/covid-19

SAG-AFTRA: http://www.sagaftra.org/covid19
​
Writers Guild of America East: https://www.wgaeast.org/covid19/

Brothers and Sisters,

We know that you and your members have been through a tremendous amount of stress during the past few weeks and we hope that this email continues to find you safe and healthy.

As you know, the International has been fully engaged in both the United States and Canada throughout this crisis. We have lobbied governments to provide unemployment benefits to our members, worked with benefit plans to implement changes, established IATSE C.A.R.E.S., negotiated with many employers to continue payments to our members for a period of time and the General Executive Board has approved a $2.5 million contribution to three industry charities to assist our affected members. All Officers, Representatives and Staff are operating remotely and continue to assist and service our local unions and their members.

We are very aware of the financial and economic impact the COVID-19 shutdown has had on your Locals and your memberships. On March 18th all local union Treasurers and Secretaries were sent an email advising them of a temporary change to Article Nineteen, Section 13 to reduce financial pressures on our Locals. As the crisis has continued, we have examined additional options to partner with our local unions and provide them with relief on their per capita obligations.

Based on those reviews and our efforts to continue to support our Locals and Members, the General Executive Board has approved a reduction to second quarter per capita payments. Upon the submission of second quarter reports, the International will reduce the numbers reported by each Local by one third. This will have the practical effect of eliminating one third (one month) of the amount of per capita payments that are due for the second quarter. This will result in a savings of almost $3.0 million in per capita payments for our local unions.

Each Local should submit their second quarter report as normal with the actual number of members listed and the one third reduction calculation will be done automatically by our system in the General Office. Per capita stamps will be issued in accordance with the actual numbers reported in order that each of your dues paying members receives a per capita stamp. For those Locals that have already paid for the second quarter or beyond, there will be a credit issued to your account once you submit your second quarter report and that credit will be able to be used in future quarters.

We wish all of you and your families health and safety in these challenging times.

In Solidarity,

Matthew D. Loeb   
International President

James B. Wood
General Secretary-Treasurer

Sisters, Brothers, Kin--

With COVID-19 ravaging communities and industries across the world, we need to provide support to our most at-risk, elderly, and disabled members. To that end, the International has launched C.A.R.E.S. (Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service), a new initiative to organize mutual aid for the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers.

Our efforts will be centered around a new website: iatsecares.org. The initiative establishes a “Buddy System”, where members in need may request for a volunteer to call them at the frequency of their choice.

The initiative also establishes a delivery system, where members in need can have a trusted volunteer deliver groceries, prescriptions, and other necessary supplies within 72 hours.

But for this to work, first we need volunteers to help. Can you register to volunteer on our new site?

Sign up to volunteer here. ​

In solidarity,
The IATSE C.A.R.E.S. Task Force

New York, NY -- With thousands of entertainment workers displaced as a result of social distancing measures to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the IATSE General Executive Board approved $2.5 million in donations to three entertainment charities Tuesday. The funding will go to the Actors Fund, the Motion Picture and Television Fund, and the Actors Fund of Canada.

Matthew D. Loeb, International President of the IATSE said, “These charities have been assisting and supporting IATSE members and entertainment industry workers for a very long time. They understand the needs of these workers, and are perfectly situated to act as our partners to help those experiencing hardship caused by the current health crisis.”

The move comes amid a broad campaign for the union to support displaced members and entertainment workers in General. “We are actively investigating all possible courses of action that can help ensure the financial stability of members who have lost work as a result of this virus” reads a March 11 email to IATSE membership. The IATSE is also working with employers on emergency measures and actively lobbying the federal government to ensure that displaced entertainment workers are included in relief.

# # #

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is an international union representing over 150,000 members employed in the stagecraft, motion picture and television production, and trade-show industries throughout the United States, its territories, and Canada.

For more information please contact
IATSE Communications
comms@iatse.net

Sisters, Brothers, Kin--

The only way we are going to get through the COVID-19 crisis is by organizing together to make our voices heard loud and clear by congress.

In just 24 hours, IATSE members and allies have sent over 40,000 emails directly to their congresspeople asking them to ensure that federal relief for workers amid the COVID-19 crisis applies to displaced entertainment professionals. But we still need your help.

If we can get enough letters sent to congress, we can pressure our government making sure the people who make American culture happen are covered in a Coronavirus relief package.

If you haven’t already, can you send your congressperson an email? We took steps to make it as easy as possible where your personal info is used to automatically match your letter to the proper congresspeople. It takes no more than two minutes.

Click here to tell Congress to include displaced entertainment workers in relief package.

If you’ve already sent your letter, please share this campaign with friends, family, co-workers, and allies. You can click the links to easily share directly on Facebook or Twitter.

In solidarity,
IATSE Communications 

Sisters, Brothers, Kin--

As you know, entertainment workers are being uniquely impacted by the coronavirus. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which was passed by the House of Representatives Saturday, is a good start to providing relief to workers. However, the provisions on the table for emergency paid leave benefits won’t apply to displaced entertainment workers because of the requirements for days worked on a job to qualify.

Entertainment workers shouldn’t be collateral damage in the fight against COVID-19. We need a special Emergency Coronavirus Economic Support Benefit geared to include workers who have a bona fide, good faith offer to work that gets canceled due to the coronavirus.

Click here to tell congress to include entertainment workers in their coronavirus relief package.

In solidarity,
IATSE Communications 

Sisters, Brothers, Kin--

With regards to the COVID-19 virus, the safety and well-being of our members and their families is our number one priority.

The International’s Disaster Response Committee is closely following the most up-to-date guidance and information as provided by the Center for Disease Control, The Public Health Agency of Canada, and the World Health Organization, and will continue to relay that information to Local Officers and members. Additionally, we are in constant contact with our health plans and local health care centers to ensure the health and safety of our communities.

We are working with employers across all sectors of the Entertainment Industry on policies that will help prevent infections in our workplaces. With the variety of crafts we represent and the unique challenges that come with each in this situation, we are collaborating with our Local Unions to produce and distribute craft-specific workplace guidelines. If members have any specific workplace health safety concerns, please report it via our Safety Info App (iOS, Play Store), or by talking to your Local Union.

In addition to the obvious health concerns posed by the virus itself, fears of the virus are also wreaking havoc on the economy, and specifically the Entertainment Industry. The honest truth is that many IATSE jobs are at risk as more events and projects are cancelled.

We are actively investigating all possible courses of action that can help ensure the financial stability of members who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We are also reviewing all of our contracts for any pertinent provisions (i.e. Force Maejure).

Finally, we have created a Coronavirus Update Portal­ on our website. We will continue to publish helpful resources and developments about the COVID-19 virus there.

In solidarity,
IATSE Communications