Working on a Flat Rate

Local 849’s Standard Agreement rate sheet (Schedule A) lists minimum hourly rates. Although the Union does not encourage it, some members negotiate flat daily or weekly rates. They’re often in Set Decoration, Costumes, Construction and Scenic, though some shooting/on-set crew will also work on a flat.

IATSE 101: How the Union Works

I often forget at general membership meetings and when I speak with new members that not everyone knows how our IATSE works or what IATSE even stands for (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada).

What is a Letter of Dispensation?

A Letter of Dispensation (LoD) is a simple agreement between the Union and a Production. It sets out some agreed-to minimum working conditions and is sometimes called a Members-only Agreement. It is most often used with low-budget, indie productions that plan to have only a few Union members engaged.

What is a Grievance?

“I want to file a grievance!” is one of the most frequently misused statements I hear. In the Local 849 Standard Agreement, grievances are discussed in “Article 25. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES.”

A grievance is a complaint or disagreement between the Company and the Union about the meaning, interpretation, or application of the Collective Agreement. It can also be a response to a violation of an employee's rights on the job—whether under the Collective Agreement or under legislation. Not all complaints are grievances. They need to clearly violate either the contract or the law.