IATSE Ends Strike Against Contract Services’ Safety Training Program – Update

UPDATED, 3:35 PM: IATSE said today that safety trainers at the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund have returned to their jobs after a three-day walkout, and classes are resuming. “Thank you to everyone who supported these workers in their fight against employer retaliation for organizing,” the union said in a statement to members. “The parties have already scheduled dates to resume discussions for a first contract covering the instructors. If you are scheduled to attend classes, be sure to let your trainer know that we support their effort.”

PREVIOUSLY, June 16: IATSE members will picket the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund’s Safety Pass training program tomorrow in Burbank. The strike, union officials say, was triggered by today’s firing of the leader of an IATSE effort to organize the nonprofit organization’s safety trainers.

“For months now, the company has stalled and delayed efforts by Grips Local 80 for a first contract covering the safety trainers,” the Art Directors Guild said in an email to their members. “Today, the employer fired the leader of the union organizing effort. The IATSE will be taking to the streets tomorrow in an unfair labor practice strike to fight back.”

Picket lines, the union said, will go up starting at 6:30 AM tomorrow and stay up “until the company stops this retaliation.”

Besides safety training, the CSATF administers the experience rosters of the IATSE locals in Hollywood, and provides training services for many of the various crafts.

Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.