Hollywood Craft Workers OK Deal

Hollywood’s craft workers overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract Thursday that calls for modest wage and benefit increases.

More than two-thirds of voting members endorsed the contract, which covers 30,000 workers including electricians, sound editors and grips under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Nonetheless, two locals representing prop makers, set decorators and camera operators voted against the contract, which takes effect Aug. 1. But they still must accept the contract because the majority voted for it.

Camera operators were incensed about a provision in the contract that would allow directors of photography to do their jobs on film and television shows, fearing the change would threaten their livelihoods.

“It’s a dark day for the camera operators,” said David Frederick, president of the Society of Camera Operators.

But in a statement, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees President Thomas Short called the contract the “envy of the industry” and took a veiled swipe at the dissident unions.

“We have a couple of local unions that have too many chronically unemployed or retired officers and officers with issues that have kept them from working in the industry,” Short said. “We don’t want to end up emulating the Writers Guild of America, West and the Screen Actors Guild.”

Short was referring to the long-standing criticisms that some officials in those guilds are out of touch with members because they rarely work. SAG and WGA declined to respond directly to Short’s criticism.

Gary Dunham, president of International Cinematographers, Local 600, said he was baffled by Short’s statement.

“The officers of our guild have tons and tons of experience,” he said. “If this is some sort of personal attack against the unions that did not vote for ratification -- that is uncalled for.”

The contract includes a wage increase of 75 cents an hour in the first year and a 25 cents an hour pension increase.

Critics said the wage increases were offset by inflation and noted that union members would have to make higher co-payments on doctor visits.

Also on Thursday, the guild representing Hollywood’s animation workers reached a similar three-year agreement with producers.