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ATPAM: News: HL0701D |
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CONVENTION UPDATE... The I.A.T.S.E. 64th Triennial Convention Opens for Week-Long Session Day One The I.A.T.S.E. Triennial Convention, held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chicago, Illinois, convened its opening session at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 16, 2001. Seven hundred seventy-one delegates registered, representing 1,165 votes. The ATPAM delegation included President Maria Somma, Vice President David Calhoun, Secretary Treasurer Gordon G. Forbes, Jim Baldassare, Shirley Herz, Mark Schweppe and Joe Traina. Robert Ingersoll of Local 2 presided as temporary chairperson for the convention, who welcomed the executive board, the delegates and their guests to Chicago. He then introduced the Color Guard of the Emerald Society of the Chicago Police Department and Rosalyn Kerins, who sang the national anthems of the United States and Canada. The invocation was given by Father John Smyth of Maryville Academy.
He returned often in his speech to the importance of organized labor and the benefits it provides for working families. He also stressed the necessity of an individual’s participation in the electoral process. His directness and heartfelt honesty brought the delegation and their guests to a standing ovation. Other speakers in the opening session were Reverend Gene Winkler, First United Methodist Church, Don Turner, President, Chicago Federation of Labor and Margaret Blackshere, Illinois State AFL-CIO. Rabbi Steven Lowenstein, Temple Sholom, gave the benediction. The gavel, handcrafted by a member of Stagecraft Local 2, was presented to International President Tom Short. President Short read portions from his President’s Report, which included highlights of the many successes in the areas of organizing, benefits fund, legitimate theater, motion picture production and trade show and display work the International has achieved since the 1998 convention. He also recognized USA Local 829, which recently joined the I.A.T.S.E. after an 81-year absence, and welcomed the many first-time delegates. He reported an increase of 12% in membership since the last convention and the expansion of jurisdiction to include territories of the United States. There are now more than 60 national term agreements in effect. President Short also emphasized the importance of the IATSE-PAC Fund, which has helped make a difference in local, state and federal elections nationwide. In addition, President Short reported on the International’s participation in global labor organizations such as UNI-MEI. Afternoon and evening sessions included the Wardrobe Caucus, the Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Caucus, TV/Radio Broadcast Caucus, Studio Mechanics Caucus and Canada Caucus. In the evening the Rules Committee, the Constitution Committee and the Resolutions Committee convened. Members of the ATPAM delegation attended the different caucuses, which examined the stumbling blocks the different locals face in their negotiating and organizing efforts. Ideas and information were shared among the delegates. Secretary Treasurer Gordon Forbes served on the Rules Committee. Day Two The Convention was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2001. International President Tom Short presided. A report was made by the Rules Committee. These included the hours of the convention (set at 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.); and the number of delegates to speak on a motion and the allotted time limit. Guest Speaker Todd Vradenberg, Executive Director of The Will Rogers Memorial Fund spoke on the many health benefits the fund provides to members of the I.A.T.S.E and other entertainment unions. The Constitution Committee made its report. Among the several constitutional amendments made and passed were:
In all, thirteen amendments were presented and passed, with five additional amendments referred to committees. The next item of business was the report of the General Executive Board Meetings. The reading clerks, appointed by President Short, read the captions of each item and President Short hit the gavel indicating approval after each caption was read. Delegates were given the opportunity to speak to each issue. Several minor corrections were made throughout the report. The morning session ended. The afternoon sessions included the Front of House Caucus, the Laboratories Caucus, the Animation Caucus, the Stage Caucus, the Secretary Treasurers Caucus. Again, the ATPAM delegation attended several of these caucuses. In the evening the following committees were convened: Resolutions, Constitution, Special, Grievance, President’s Report, Audit and Finance. President Somma attended the President’s Committee. Day Three The Convention was called to order at 10:07 a.m. with President Short presiding. The Guest Speaker was Tony Lennon, who serves as president of BECTU, and as president of Media and Entertainment International, which includes 100 unions on a global basis and part of Union Network International, the largest single union body in the world representing 14 million organized workers in 130 countries. Brother Lennon spoke eloquently on the need for a global discourse on labor issues. The labor axiom of "my problem is your problem, your problem is my problem" is a basis for the dialogue these organizations has created among the labor unions it represents. As multinational companies break down the barriers of corporations and countries, and create the global village, it is important to share the information and strategies each union in each country employs. The participation of the I.A.T.S.E. in these global union bodies strengthens the solidarity of the labor force through the exchange of ideas and the outreach to countries that are faced with a labor force not protected by fair and equitable rules. He cited the proposed MCI WorldCom merger with Sprint Communications and the Marks & Spencers economic restructuring as two examples where international trade unionism and solidarity influenced world regulators. With a voice on the world stage, labor can move as one body. Mr. Lennon further said, "International trade unionism is a way of bringing us together across our industries. It is a way of taking on the employers regardless of boundaries…and is a way of getting our voice on behalf of working people heard on the world stage." The next order of business was the report of the Resolutions Committee that had received 19 resolutions submitted by individuals and locals. Each resolution had been reviewed in private session by the committee and brought to the floor in this session. Of the 19 resolutions, five were recommended with concurrence and passed, ten were recommended as non-concurrence and passed, three were referred to the General Office and one required no action. The report of the General Executive Board Meetings held since the 1998 convention was read. After each heading was read, the delegates were given the opportunity to make any corrections or to comment on any of the items in the report. After discussion of each item, President Short hit the gavel, indicating approval. A lunch break occurred during this report and upon reconvening at 2:00 p.m., the reading of the report continued. The report of the Audit & Finance Committee was made and the following items were placed on the agenda of recommendation:
The afternoon session concluded at 3:10 p.m. Day Four The Convention was called to order at approximately 10:10 a.m., with President Short presiding. Roger Bolton, General Secretary of BECTU, was the guest speaker. He spoke of the labor history in the United Kingdom in the last 18 years and urged the delegation to use its strong labor voice to hold President Bush accountable in his dealings with the labor movement. He reiterated the need of communication among labor leaders on a global basis. It was with the knowledge provided by I.A.T.S.E. stagecraft locals that the London theatrical unions could negotiate fairly with Disney when it made its foray into the West End. The I.A.T.S.E. projectionists in Chicago clarified many of the issues BECTU members face when attempting to negotiate with multiplex owners. He thanked President Short for his participation on the global stage of the labor movement. The Credentials Committee made its final report that 783 delegates were registered, representing 1189 votes. Nominations were then held and President Short turned the gavel over to 3rd Vice President Dan Kerins until the nominations for President were completed. The following is a list of those people who were nominated unopposed and voted into office at this session:
The delegates unanimously voted to accept these nominations and voted these nominees into office. The session then broke for lunch. The Afternoon Session convened at 2:00 p.m. The President’s Report was read. After each heading was read, the delegates were given the opportunity to make any corrections or to comment on any of the items in the report. After discussion of each item, President Short hit the gavel, indicating approval. The Special Committee presented its report on the continuing work done in the areas of Safety, Website, IATSE Bulletin and the IATSE-PAC. The Grievance Committee made its report on the grievance held the night before. The recommendations for each of the grievances made by the Committee were approved by the delegates. The afternoon session concluded at approximately 2:20 p.m.
The fifth and final day of the IATSE 64th Triennial was called to order at 10:06 a.m. International President Awards were given to Barry Merrills (Local 212), Tom McGauley (Local 96), Wally Keske (Local 44), Sandy Berke Jordan (Local705), Ed McConway (Local One). Retired Vice President Hobbs conducted the installation of officers. Each officer then addressed the delegation, pledging their support for the IATSE. The handcrafted Convention Gavel was awarded to Local 395. The convention adjourned at 10:45 a.m. |
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Honorable Richard Gephardt, U.S. House of Representatives,
(D) Missouri, was the keynote speaker. He addressed the convention, recounting
labor’s crucial role in past elections and stressed the importance of several
key issues including:
Day
Five