Participants of the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP) should note that the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) diagnostic test will be covered by their particular health plan as follows:
For Anthem Blue Cross PPO Enrollees:
Through June 15, 2020, Participants enrolled in the Anthem Blue Cross PPO plan will incur no out-of-pocket costs (no co-payment and/or coinsurance) for the COVID-19 virus test and the associated visit for this test, when the test is ordered by an in-network medical provider and performed at an in network facility. The associated visit may occur in an emergency room, urgent care or doctor’s office. The COVID-19 test and the associated visit will continue to be covered at the usual plan benefit level after June 15, 2020.
For Anthem Medicare Preferred Plan (Medicare Advantage),
Kaiser Permanente, Health Net and Oxford Health Plan Enrollees:
For Participants enrolled in the Anthem Medicare Preferred Plan, Kaiser Permanente, Health Net and the Oxford Health Plans, the test for the COVID-19 virus and the associated visit for this test, when the test is ordered by an in-network medical provider and performed at an in-network facility, will be covered without the Participant incurring out-of-pocket costs (no co-payment and/or coinsurance) for a period of time as determined by those health plans and in compliance with state mandates.
What Should I Do If I Feel Sick?
Participants should seek medical care if they develop symptoms (e.g., fever, cough or shortness of breath) of the COVID-19 virus, especially if they have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19. While sick, avoid contact with people, stay home, and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
In addition, Participants are reminded of their telemedicine benefit. This benefit allows someone to visit with a physician by phone or to engage in online video communication using a computer, smartphone or tablet. It should not be used if emergency help is needed (e.g., for severe respiratory distress, severe weakness, loss of consciousness or chest pain).
For the latest guidelines and recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website for more information.
Sisters, Brothers, Kin—
With regards to the COVID-19 virus, the safety and well-being of our members and their families is our number one priority.
The International’s Disaster Response Committee is closely following the most up-to-date guidance and information as provided by the Center for Disease Control, The Public Health Agency of Canada, and the World Health Organization, and will continue to relay that information to Local Officers and members. Additionally, we are in constant contact with our health plans and local health care centers to ensure the health and safety of our communities.
We are working with employers across all sectors of the Entertainment Industry on policies that will help prevent infections in our workplaces. With the variety of crafts we represent and the unique challenges that come with each in this situation, we are collaborating with our Local Unions to produce and distribute craft-specific workplace guidelines. If members have any specific workplace health safety concerns, please report it via our Safety Info App (iOS, Play Store), or by talking to your Local Union.
In addition to the obvious health concerns posed by the virus itself, fears of the virus are also wreaking havoc on the economy, and specifically the Entertainment Industry. The honest truth is that many IATSE jobs are at risk as more events and projects are cancelled.
We are actively investigating all possible courses of action that can help ensure the financial stability of members who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We are also reviewing all of our contracts for any pertinent provisions (i.e. Force Maejure).
Finally, we have created a Coronavirus Update Portal on our website. We will continue to publish helpful resources and developments about the COVID-19 virus there.
In solidarity,
IATSE Communications
Sisters, Brothers, Kin—
As news coverage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, we want to update you with guidance and reassurance.
While there is a potential public health threat posed by COVID-19, right now per the CDC, for the general American public, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
As this is a dynamic and evolving situation, we are closely following the most up-to-date guidance and information as provided by the Centers for Disease Control. In addition, we are in constant contact with our health plans and local health care centers to ensure the health and safety of our community.
We will continue to provide information on any new developments that would impact our community and actions that would need to be taken. We strongly encourage you to visit the CDC for information regarding the virus, situation updates, personal protective precautions and recommendations for community preparedness.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
Feel free to distribute as appropriate and necessary.
In solidarity,
IATSE Communications.
Find out who the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor is endorsing for March 2020 here: https://thelafed.org/march-2020/
Please be aware, Los Angeles voting has changed:
"In L.A. County, we have upgraded from polling places to Vote Centers. Voters now have the option to cast a ballot in-person at any Vote Center in the County. Vote Centers look and feel like polling places, but provide additional modern features to make voting easy and convenient. Having a single day to vote in-person is now a thing of the past. Voters in L.A. County will now have 11 consecutive days to vote in-person at any Vote Center Countywide.
Vote Centers for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election open February 22 - March 3." - Source: lavote.net
To find out more, please visit: https://lavote.net/home/voting-elections/voting-options/new-voting-experience/
Thingergy Inc is the first specialty prop and costume house to be organized under a groundbreaking new contract in coordination with Local 44, Local 705 and Local 892. Now you can go union when creating your specialty prop costumes!
A Message from the Special Effects Qualifications Committee
to the Local 44 Membership
We, the members of the SEQC want to express our concern and commitment to the local 44 membership regarding the upgrading of individuals with Propshop classification to the Special Effects classification. Our industry, our local, and those of us on the committee are concerned for the future of our craft, inasmuch as the number of qualified Special Effects members has declined and currently there are not enough people to fill the job openings available.
The purpose of our committee is to evaluate the qualifications of those applying for upgrading to the Special Effects classification. We do this by first requiring the candidate to take a written test, which evaluates general knowledge and safety and skills related to Special Effects, and then, upon scoring a 70 percent or better correct score on this, they take an oral interview, where we ascertain their “hands on” skills, visual and narrative skills, safety skills, and most importantly, their problem solving skills. The committee is comprised of experienced Special Effects individuals who rely on their own experiences, general safety practices and techniques, and a questions and answers curriculum that has been vetted by an education company that specializes in testing. The end of this process is each committee member present for the oral interview evaluating the applicant individually, with no group or individual discussions, and a clerk from Contract Services adding up the totals and then notifying the committee and the individual tested of the results. Sometimes this can take several days.
We want to make this process as transparent as possible to dispel rumors and negative criticisms that abound, regarding the Special Effects testing experience.
The members of the committee want to express our encouragement to all who want to go through the process. Special Effects is not for everyone. It takes a different individual, one that wants to be part of a craft that encompasses many different trades and specialties. Special Effects requires one to sometimes interact with other departments and trades and sometimes the whole company. It also sometimes requires basic and special safety knowledge. It sometimes requires one to embrace the latest technology and antiquated methods used successfully in the past. One day you are coordinating a rain scene with a crew of 8, and the next you are alone on a stage doing a campfire. There are days when you are a plumber, an electrician, a propmaker, an engineer, or a laborer. This is why we have a process that puts an applicant through several scenarios where they have to explain to us how they will accomplish specific effects.
We want to hear what they will tell their crew in regards to prepping for the shots, what they will explain to the director and producers, and what they will explain to the whole company at the safety meeting. We need to hear about how various shots can be accomplished, what materials and supplies are available to use, and how they will be used. A director or producer may see a cartoon on Thursday, and then ask you to provide the same gag for him on stage Monday. We need to know you can work it out, or at least formulate a plan that satisfies the people who employ us.
In years past, the studios had various shops and crews, where a person could start at the bottom and work your way up, regarding skill levels. It still took a number of years for someone to be proficient in Special Effects. This has become a thing of the past. Today, an individual must learn how to do things by watching, asking, and practicing on the job. It is, we believe, much harder to learn a craft such as Special Effects in today environment of independent productions and no more studio shops. A person who wants to excel at Special Effects has to be constantly asking questions on the job and expressing an interest in all aspects of this craft. We, as a qualifications committee are aware of this and take it into consideration for each applicant. We are constantly striving to update and streamline all of our processes. Our committee members are all approachable and interested in helping anyone who would aspire to join the ranks of Special Effects. Just ask!
It is, for this reason, we have implemented certain new procedures for all applicants. If one can achieve a grade of 85% or better on the written portion of the test, and then fails the oral interview, you do not have to take the written portion again. This is new. Also, we have instituted a new process for those, who for some reason or other, have put off getting the Propshop classification. Now, upon getting a Propshop classification, one can ask the committee to “waive” the requirement of 4 years of Propshop experience before taking the Special Effects test. If an individual can demonstrate to the committee that they have the experience necessary, and can supply statements from experienced Special Effects operators attesting to this fact, we will allow them to test, thus “waiving” the years normally required.
We hope that with this letter, the Special Effects Qualifications Committee has demonstrated to all interested in our craft our commitment to a transparent process and our commitment to increasing our numbers in this industry. We are also working with Contract Services to design and implement a new training agenda for Special Effects. We welcome comments and suggestions from all our Union sisters and brothers, and wish all continued success!
Special Effects Qualifications Committee
IATSE Local 44 · 12021 Riverside Dr. · Valley Village, California 91607 · USA
Below is a copy of the email sent by I.A.T.S.E. International President Matthew D. Loeb.
Sisters and Brothers —
As you may recall, on October 20, 2017, following allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving a growing list of global media companies, celebrities, and other prominent media figures, the International Alliance issued a strongly worded statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In addition, the IATSE recently reissued its anti-harassment policy, and Delegates to the IATSE’s 68th Quadrennial Convention in July unanimously passed a resolution rebuking harassment and bullying in the workplace. The Statement and Resolution are available here.
The importance of this topic compels me to address this issue with you directly.
We have all heard the recent stories of alleged misconduct committed against workers by powerful people. Such conduct is reprehensible, and must not be tolerated. Because of the unfair balance of power between rank-and-file workers and authority figures in the entertainment industry, workers often remain silent in the face of such behavior, fearing that, if they were to speak out, they would be subject to repercussions, reprisals, or other pressures. However, we are hopeful that the deluge of recent media reports will embolden workers to speak out about, and fight back against, this horrible conduct. We hear you, and I want you to know that the IATSE is here to help, in whatever way it can.
Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in reports of inappropriate workplace conduct to the IATSE Safety Hotline and to our International Representatives. In addition, media reports detailing alleged sexual harassment have often quoted individuals working under IATSE collective bargaining agreements. In response, the International and its affiliated local unions are reminding employers that employers are responsible for providing a safe, respectful work environment, free from any discrimination, including sexual harassment.
We will continue to remind employers of their responsibilities in this regard, because we know that all workers suffer when their workplace is unsafe. The worker who experiences the harassment is humiliated. And the workers who must witness the harassment are demeaned.
I encourage all members of the IATSE to again review the IATSE’s October 20, 2017 statement condemning sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. I also encourage all members to widely publicize the IATSE Safety Hotline (844 IA AWARE / 844-422-9273). You may immediately contact the Safety Hotline, or your local union, concerning workplace hazards and threats.
Please also remember that workplace harassment and unwanted conduct is a sensitive, difficult, and deeply personal topic. I ask that you acknowledge, as I do, the difficulties faced by fellow workers when they disclose this unacceptable treatment.
Workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, is insidious and we must all do our part to eradicate this scourge on our industry. The IATSE and its affiliated local unions are here to support you. Together, we can work toward a brighter future, where no worker is subjected to this deplorable conduct.
In solidarity,
Matthew D. Loeb
International President, IATSE