The New York local of IATSE has elected William “Dusty” Klatt as its new president, in the first change of leadership in the union since 2004.
Klatt, a retired electrician, defeated Mandie DeMeskey, the local’s business representative, by a tally of 1,591 to 570 votes. DeMeskey is married to Matthew Loeb, the president of the parent union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The election marks a change of direction for Local 52, which represents about 4,500 workers, including sound technicians, electricians, medics, grips, and prop masters.
“The union has to change — that’s my platform,” Klatt told Variety. “We need to rethink just about everything we do.”
Klatt has most recently served as the union’s recording secretary. In a message to the membership before the election, he argued that the union was not “effective, efficient, inclusive and transparent.”
Many members also expressed concern during the campaign that DeMeskey’s marriage to...
Klatt, a retired electrician, defeated Mandie DeMeskey, the local’s business representative, by a tally of 1,591 to 570 votes. DeMeskey is married to Matthew Loeb, the president of the parent union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The election marks a change of direction for Local 52, which represents about 4,500 workers, including sound technicians, electricians, medics, grips, and prop masters.
“The union has to change — that’s my platform,” Klatt told Variety. “We need to rethink just about everything we do.”
Klatt has most recently served as the union’s recording secretary. In a message to the membership before the election, he argued that the union was not “effective, efficient, inclusive and transparent.”
Many members also expressed concern during the campaign that DeMeskey’s marriage to...
- 12/4/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Film and TV production workers in New York are casting ballots this week to elect a new union president.
Two candidates are running to replace John R. Ford, who is retiring after 18 years as president of IATSE Local 52. The campaign has been marked by unusual turmoil, as members have been alarmed by a recent legal settlement that prohibits the union from “bumping” non-union members out of production jobs.
Many fear that the settlement will mean fewer jobs for current union cardholders — and a weaker union.
“We’ve been told for all these years that if we have a union card, we pretty much have a job for life,” said Ryan Gargiulo, who is running to represent the property department. “This threatens that.”
Local 52 represents about 4,500 members in the New York area across a range of “below the line” crafts, including grips, electricians, set dressers, gaffers, and propmasters.
Mandie DeMeskey,...
Two candidates are running to replace John R. Ford, who is retiring after 18 years as president of IATSE Local 52. The campaign has been marked by unusual turmoil, as members have been alarmed by a recent legal settlement that prohibits the union from “bumping” non-union members out of production jobs.
Many fear that the settlement will mean fewer jobs for current union cardholders — and a weaker union.
“We’ve been told for all these years that if we have a union card, we pretty much have a job for life,” said Ryan Gargiulo, who is running to represent the property department. “This threatens that.”
Local 52 represents about 4,500 members in the New York area across a range of “below the line” crafts, including grips, electricians, set dressers, gaffers, and propmasters.
Mandie DeMeskey,...
- 11/30/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
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