Information for Membership Applicants

Membership in IATSE 849 is open to all production technicians who qualify regardless of sex, race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry, sexual orientation, or place of origin. The departments covered by this Local are Animal Wranglers, Costumes, Craft Service, Diving, Greens, Grip, Aerial Grip, Rigging Grip, Hair, Lighting, Make-up, Marine, Props, Scenic Paint, Script Supervision, Set Construction, Set Decoration, Sound, Special Effects, Transportation. To qualify for membership a technician must meet the requirements as detailed below:

Membership Status Requirements

Applicants must have 90 days paid experience in the department accumulated on film or video on three or more projects and proof of paid experience must be verified by presentation of pay stubs or Record of Employment. All additional requirements as specified by the Department to which they are applying (specifics for each department are detailed on a separate information sheet).

Application Process

Step 1: Submission of Application

The applicant is required to complete a "Preliminary Application for Membership" form, and submit this form along with an up-to-date resume, and copies of all applicable licenses and certifications, no later than 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to presenting at a General Membership Meeting.

Step 2: Presentation of Application - First General Membership Meeting

The applicant will be invited to present his/her application at an upcoming General Membership Meeting. If the applicant does not attend a General Meeting their application will not be considered.

NOTE: If the applicant cannot attend a meeting because of special circumstances, they may have the Provincial Officer from their home province or an Executive Board member of Local 849 represent them at the General Membership Meeting.

Step 3: Application Packages

Following presentation at a General Membership Meeting, each applicant will be given a package containing information on forms and monies which must be returned to the office as soon as possible. The required items include:

• Completed Preliminary Application form (if not already on file)
• Completed New York application form
• Completed Dues Deduction Authorization form
• Application Processing Fee ($100)
• First Quarter Dues ($83.00)
• RRSP forms and/or Waiver of Participation form

NOTE: The application for membership will not proceed past this point until all completed forms and monies are received by the office.

Step 4: Confirmation of Experience

Once all forms and monies are received by the office, a check is completed by the Membership Services Coordinator to ensure that the information contained on the applicant's resume is accurate and that the applicant has the requisite experience required for membership.

NOTE: If the applicant's experience cannot be confirmed they will not go up for vote.

Step 5: Vote on Application - Second General Membership Meeting

Members will vote on each of the applicants at a General Membership Meeting. Quorum (20% of the membership) must be attained in order for the vote to occur. If there is no quorum, voting will take place at the next General Membership Meeting, or by mail out vote.

Step 6: Follow-up of Vote

Following the Membership Vote the office will advise the applicant of the result. Once voted in as a member, and provided all paperwork is in order and all monies have been received, the application will be forwarded to the International office in New York for approval.

Step 7: Acceptance into the Local

Once the applicant has been processed and accepted through New York, and their New York application form has been returned to the office, the applicant's name will be added to the Membership Database and their resume added to the Member Resume Book. The New Member will receive verbal notice that they are now a member of Local 849 and that they must come to a General Membership Meeting as soon as possible to be sworn in. The New Members will receive a package containing copies of the International and Local Constitutions, and the Local 849 Collective Agreement and any other items of interest to new members.

Step 8: Swearing In

The New Member must attend a General Membership Meeting to be officially sworn into the Local.

PDF Document

Membership Information Sheet

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