As a veteran film editor with over three decades of experience in the industry, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs, but the current situation facing our fellow colleagues in the Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) is particularly troubling. The recent memo from Cathy Repola, national executive director, outlining the reduction in health plan contributions and the cessation of COBRA-free premiums for many members who have faced lean employment options in recent months, is a stark reminder of the harsh realities that many in our industry are facing.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) has alerted its members that due to a decrease in contributions to the industry’s pension and health plan, they will cease providing complimentary benefit extensions to numerous members who have been dealing with limited job opportunities over the past few months.
In a memo sent on September 4, Local 700 informed its members that due to ongoing decreases in the hourly contributions towards the health plan in the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plan, they are no longer able to consider offering additional cost-free benefit extensions at this time. This means that Local 700 will discontinue providing premiums without COBRA charges for all participants of the MPI plan. This decision applies to everyone within the plan and is not limited to those who belong to a specific guild or union.
In the memo, Cathy Repola, the national executive director of Local 700, outlined that the pension and health plan has been experiencing reductions exceeding 20% compared to 2022. This decrease in workload was anticipated, leading them to adjust their hour assumptions during this year’s contract negotiations. Although they are on track with the revised expectations, it’s crucial to maintain a specific amount of monthly reserves for both active and retired members’ health plans as well.
Major entertainment companies like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global, NBCUniversal, and others routinely contribute to the MPI plan, depending on the hours worked by IATSE union members. On July 18, IATSE officially approved a new three-year Basic Agreement, which includes additional streaming royalties to address a $670 million deficit in the funds.
IATSE must navigate a challenging situation by ensuring there’s enough money in their pension and healthcare funds to cover the long-serving members who have contributed for decades. So far, the expense of extending COBRA benefits without premium costs to approximately 14,000 participants has amounted to $83 million, as stated in the memo.
The memo states that, as the reserve levels are decreasing, it’s not feasible for us to consider any additional cost-free benefits right now due to this situation. Our strong intention to keep assisting should be in line with our obligation to ensure the financial stability of the plans, which is our responsibility.
The statement emphasizes the challenging predicament that entertainment industry workers find themselves in, post the combined SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes of 2023 and subsequent work slowdown. Recognizing the “severe difficulties” many workers are experiencing due to a lack of adequate job opportunities, a memo from The Editors Guild (one of the largest among the 13 IATSE Locals operating under the Basic Agreement, with approximately 9,000 members) provides context by stating that directors have been providing premium-free COBRA for extended periods and have already secured approval for two more benefit periods starting from August 1 and September 1. These upcoming periods will add to the existing costs.
The document provides extra details on support services, such as various health coverage choices and a special program called the Hardship Initiative. It’s important to note that all members of the plan can access Hardship Withdrawals from Individual Account Plans when needed.
EbMaster has reached out to IATSE for comment.
Here is the full Local 700 memo:
Dear members,
For individuals currently employed, the increased wage rates as per the new Basic Agreement and all Local 700 Agreements will take effect from August 4, 2024. The detailed wage charts for Majors, Independents, and New York Majors are yet to be finalized due to ongoing discussions with the AMPTP regarding discrepancies. We’ll keep you informed about these developments. Any delayed wage increases will be compensated retroactively.
In solidarity, Cathy Repola, National Executive Director
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2024-09-06 20:17