Why ATPAM Should Affiliate With IATSE
A Statement ATPAM's Officers and
Board of Governors
There are three other main reasons we are considering an
affiliation with an international union: to help us maintain jurisdiction,
to organize new venues, and to give us more bargaining power with employers.
After seriously considering the Communications Workers of
America, the Teamsters and several other possibilities, it is the unanimous
consensus of the officers and the Board of Governors that an affiliation
with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) will
be the most valuable to ATPAM. With over 70,000 members, and locals in
almost every city in the United States, we believe that IATSE will provide
the "clout" for which we are looking to help us maintain and
increase jurisdiction. We are aware that an affiliation is not a miracle
cure, but we have had positive receptions and promises of assistance from
IATSE business agents in several cities and, most importantly, from Alfred
W. DiTolla, IATSE International President.
This is probably the most important decision we have had
to make since ATPAMs inception. In the current climate of anti-unionism,
we need all the help we can get and we hope that you will concur that there
is strength in numbers. There will be further discussion of this matter at
the January Overall Membership meeting, following which you will be asked to
make a decision via secret mail vote. If approved, the target date for
affiliation is July 1, 1994.
THE DECISION RESTS IN YOUR HANDS.
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