Category Archives: 205 News

Local 205 News & Information.

Announce: City Council Resolution Re. Event Cancellations

The following was sent to the membership via the announce mechanism on Mar. 24th via the office of the president:

Brothers and Sisters,

The City of Austin meeting agenda for Wednesday, March 25 includes item 55, a resolution to assist those impacted by COVID-19 related cancellations <http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincouncilforum/81-20200319101401.pdf> of major events, including SXSW:

55. Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to develop programs to support the small and local businesses and workers in the creative, hospitality, service, music, and film industries and other associated industries impacted by the cancellation of the 2020 South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival.

Sponsors:

Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Gregorio Casar, Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, and Council Member Paige Ellis

Public comment will be allowed by telephone only. All speakers must register in advance <http://www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/2020/20200326-reg.htm#> by noon on Wednesday, March 25.

I will prepare a statement of support. I will aim to highlight not only our immediate needs, but also the long term effects that need to be considered, such as the impact of reduced HOT revenue on Cultural Arts funding. I am open to collaborating on this item or any other actions that will help our industry recover. I anticipate this item will pass with ease. My primary concern is to make sure entertainment workers are not left out.

Rachel Magee,
IATSE Local 205 President

Announce: COVID-19: Sharing Our Story

The following was sent to the membership via the announce mechanism on Mar. 23rd 2020 via the office of the president:

Brothers and Sisters,

Sharing our story can help us leverage support and resources during these trying times.

The collective effort to get Congress to recognize our plight is showing signs of success. So far, IATSE members and supporters have sent over 105,000 letters demanding that entertainment workers be included in government relief efforts <https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-to-include-displaced-workers-in-relief-package>. This surpassed the original goal, which has since been increased. Please continue to encourage your friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members to email a letter.

The campaign has caught the attention not only of Congress <http://www.playbill.com/article/representative-adam-schiff-and-more-members-of-congress-sign-letter-in-support-of-entertainment-workers>, but also the press <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/20/adam-schiff-calls-for-congress-to-expand-coronavir/>. In response, charities <https://actorsfund.org/am-i-eligible-help> are rallying resources, some of the industry’s employers <https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Netflix-Pledges-100-Million-to-Aid-Entertainment-Workers-Impacted-by-Covid-19-20200320> are stepping up, and coalitions <https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Netflix-Pledges-100-Million-to-Aid-Entertainment-Workers-Impacted-by-Covid-19-20200320> are being formed to help push the agenda further.

Prior to launching this campaign, International President Loeb called on members to lobby local, state, and federal governments for policies to provide relief for our workforce. Last week, Local 205 and Unite Here <https://www.dropbox.com/s/b0wup37c02fkarw/Joint%20UHIATSE%20Letter%20Signed.pdf?dl=0> sent a joint letter to the City of Austin. On Thursday, I spoke with Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s office about our situation. In the coming weeks, I plan to contact state legislators, and to follow up with our local employers, to whom I sent a memo last week <https://www.dropbox.com/s/igup39krl4dtw3l/COVID-19%20MEMO%202020-3-16%20copy.pdf?dl=0>.

Press coverage amplifies public issues. On March 10, I participated in a press conference hosted by Texas AFL-CIO <https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=493089578036154&id=122300848805&_rdr> highlighting concerns working people have about COVID-19, including the financial impact on our community <https://www.kxan.com/news/sxsw/austin-bracing-for-ripple-effect-in-local-job-market-after-sxsw-canceled/>. Tomorrow, I will be responding to a request from the Austin Chronicle to comment on unemployment related to COVID-19.

To be an effective advocate for our local, it is important that I understand the impact COVID-19 is having on each and every one of you. In the absence of being able to meet as a group, please use this form to share your story <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10m2DpO6Ta0yaoq0G9S0mbZbgu19pb0xi9lzoK9sgsDg/edit> with me. Also, to help me analyze the impact to our membership as a whole, please take a couple of minutes to answer these questions <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSXLDFP>.

In Solidarity,
Rachel Magee,

Announce: SXSW Cancellations, Freeman 3/8-3/21

The following was sent to the membership via the announce mechanism on Mar. 6th 2020 from the office of the Business Agent:

Brothers and Sisters,

I am disheartened to report that SXSW was officially canceled today by the City of Austin.

All scheduled labor for TOMORROW Saturday 3/7 will remain as scheduled. I repeat if you are scheduled tomorrow 3/7, you will still go to work as scheduled. Freeman has had gear arriving at the Austin Convention Center and we will be loading out that gear.

All scheduled labor for all areas on Sunday 3/8 through 3/21 with FREEMAN has been cancelled.
We will update you as we find out more information from our various employers.
In Solidarity,

Nikki Combs
Business Agent

Boom Operation Training with Patrick Crowley

It’s not too late to register for the class tomorrow! Just email to register for the class. Space is limited.

If you miss this class, it’s not the end of the world. Patrick will be teaching these classes every quarter, so there will be more opportunities.

The class teaches safe operation of boom lifts, scissor lifts and aerial work platforms. In addition to the class for certification, Patrick holds a practice session in the afternoon for hands on practice. The classes are held at Briggs Equipment rental.

IATSE Local 205 Membership Drive and Unionism Education

205 Membership Drive Flyer

2019 Membership Drive

The membership drive starts April 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2019. Anyone submitting an application for membership during this time period will have their application and initiation fees reduced by 50%. Normally, our initiation fee is $200 and our application fee is $100, total cost $300. But during our membership drive, these fees will be reduced to $100 and $50 respectively, $150 total cost.

To become a member of IATSE Local 205 you must be a resident of Austin or the greater Austin area for at least 18 consecutive months before you apply. The application procedure is as follows:

STEP ONE

Attend one of our unionism classes. Classes are held at the IBEW #520 union hall, 3rd Floor, 4818 E. Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX. 78741. Membership drive classes will be held on the following dates:

Sunday April 7th, 2pm-4:30pm
Friday, May 3rd, 2pm-4:30pm
Sunday, June 2nd, 2pm-4:30pm

For hiring hall subscribers, these classes are on Call Steward and can be wish listed. FaceBook events have been created on our FaceBook page, which you can RSVP your desire to attend. Alternatively, you can sign up to attend a class by emailing Walk-ins are also welcome.

STEP TWO

After attending our unionism class, you must request an applicant interview with Local 205’s Executive Board by emailing . Interviews for our membership drive will be conducted at the following dates and times:

Monday, April 29, 6pm
Monday, May 20, 10m
Monday, June 24, 6pm

When making your interview request, please make clear the date you wish to be interviewed.

Interviews will be conducted at our union office: 4818 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 204, Austin, TX. 78741. Applicants granted an interview should bring with them a $100 check/cashier’s check or money order made payable to Local 205, and a $50 cashier’s check/money order made payable to IATSE. Note, IATSE does not accept personal checks.

Interviews will only be granted to those who have completed steps one and two above. Interviews are by invitation only, we cannot accept walk-ins.

Unionism Class Oct 28th

Growth = Strength
Growth = Strength
Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2 PM – 4:30 PM IBEW Local 520 Meeting Hall (3rd Floor) 4818 E Ben White Blvd, Ste 300, Austin, Texas 78741 Interested in becoming a member of IATSE Local 205 – Austin Texas? Or would you like to learn more about IATSE and the Labor Movement? Attending is your first step! This 2-hour discussion will introduce the importance of unions, the benefits of membership, and the history of the IATSE. You can RSVP on the Facebook Event or contact the Vice President about about attending.

Support Jon Stewart’s Medical Expenses

Brothers and Sisters, The Paramount Theatre has set up a Go Fund Me page for Brother John Stewart, the link to which is https://www.gofundme.com/gtnsea-john.  This is what is reported by Cathy McDonald at the Paramount about John’s progress:

John is currently doing out-patient Physical and occupational therapy at the St. David’s Stroke and Rehab Hospital twice weekly and continues to show improvement, although certainly not as quickly as he would like.

2017 Stagehands Cookout Flyer

2017 Austin Stagehand Cookout! (Tuesday!)

Local 205 Young Workers Committee is hosting our 3rd Annual Stagehand Cookout next week! All Austin area stagehands welcome, regardless of union affiliation.  Also note, as with almost all young worker hosted events, you do not have to be a “young worker” to attend.

Tuesday, Sept 26th, 2017 (4pm – 8pm)
Due to rain and a forecast for thunderstorms, tonight’s Austin Stagehand Cookout hosted is MOVING LOCATION from Martin Park to IBEW #520 Union Hall, 4818 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX. 78741.

You can also RSVP on facebook at the event page:
Stagehand Cookout 2017

Festivities include:
– Food
– Stagehand Games
– Team Building
– BYOB

Bring yourselves, your fellow Austin area stagehands, members and non-members alike, and your families!

It sounds like there will be T-Shirts again this year.  Some will be available as prizes in the games, but if you want one be sure to bring a little cash to purchase.

For information about coordinating items to bring and or volunteering to help setup and tear down, please see the facebook event for the most current information.

 

 

Pre-Meeting Seminar: Lighting Paperwork

Sister Katy Hallee will be presenting a pre-meeting seminar before the regular membership meeting on January 30th.  The seminar is open to all Austin area stagehands.

The topic of the seminar is “Lighting Paperwork”- primarily how to read and interpret light plots and paperwork.

Light Plot Example

The seminar will be held in the IBEW 3rd floor meeting room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
4818 E Ben White Blvd #300, Austin, TX 78741

To sign up, please fill out the form at: https://goo.gl/forms/UzOPUtmOPa3Ar8E82. You should receive an immediate confirmation that your sign up request was recorded.

The January regular membership meeting will begin at 7:30 pm.

In Solidarity,
Todd Drga
IATSE Local 205 Vice President

Tri-Union Holiday Hootenanny! Tomorrow Dec. 4th!

Holiday Hootenanny

Tomorrow is our Holiday Hootenanny that’s been in the works for some time with the 484 and IBEW folks! Today (Saturday) there’ll be sugar cookie baking madness at Jessika Dunbar’s – if you have some time between 10am-5pm please contact her or myself and please join us for baking good times! – the cookies are for the cookie decorating station at the event, if you’re curious.

Sunday – Nate from IBEW and Andrew Ferrucci will be grilling early, they would love your assistance! We’ll be decorating and setting up before the event, and cleaning up after. If you can assist with any of those please email me back, thank you so much!

In solidarity,
Mikela Cowan
YWC chair
For the Facebook inclined, there is some more details on the 484’s facebook event.