Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Just wondering--Union or Non-union?

This is topic Just wondering--Union or Non-union? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dave Michelsen (Member # 1639) on 03-10-2003, 05:03 PM:

About 35 years ago I worked my way through school as a projectionist. I loved it. Even ran mag prints of the blockbusters of the day. Anyway, I'm new to the group and was wondering if projectionists are still unionized or not and what is the general feeling about the subject these days.

Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 03-10-2003, 06:42 PM:

Best thing to do is search for past topics on this issue.

Welcome to the Forum!

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-10-2003, 06:58 PM:

In a few of the largest cities the projectionists for the larger chains are still IATSE but they've been steadily losing ground. Chicago was probably the last real stronghold but even they (Local 110) have had to make a lot of concessions as competitive chains have entered the area with non-union help.

I take no position for or against union representation (I own my own business so it's not applicable) but it's certainly true that experienced personnel are going to generally do a better job and no one can afford to make a career of it if only paid a bit above minimum wage. (Whether a decent rate of pay requires union intervention I'll leave for others to argue.) On the other had it's also a truism that in a large theatre that requires several to staff the booth it is probably not necessary that highly skilled hands lace up each each and every show and push the start button IF there is such a skilled person sharing duty with them and making sure things are done correctly AND able to take care of what to them are tiny problems, invisible to the audience but what might, in less skilled hands, disrupt a show or damage film.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-10-2003, 07:18 PM:

Caution: True Story!

A long long time ago in a city far far away, I worked for a local chain. Most, but not all of the theatres in the chain were staffed by union operators. When the operators began to see I was good at what I did they reccommended me to the union prez. So down I went to see him...in his big office in downtownland on the 1100th floor of some sky scraper, the highest paid union official in the world. It was an interesting visit and he wanted me to jump over and become a union member.....so flattered was I that I agreed to join. They put me to work in an old carbon arc and 20 min booth...it was lots of fun, but a technician I was, with alot of experience already.....I was not an operator to be. They could guarantee no technical work so I sadly declined.....many other operators were on lay off and here I was working in one of their places!! So I went back to being a technical person on my own......I'm glad I did!
The End!
Mark

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 03-10-2003, 07:49 PM:

Welcome to Film-Tech Forums, Dave!

This topic has been well covered. Search the following topics:

Questions About Unions................Film Handlers' Forum
U.S. Film Industry--Unions or Associations...Film Yak Forum

Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 03-10-2003, 10:20 PM:

i would so love to respond to this but knowing my luck someone i know would read my response, relay it to head office, and i would be so fired.

Posted by Dave Michelsen (Member # 1639) on 03-11-2003, 01:11 PM:

Thanks everyone for the update and your opinions. I followed up on the suggested search topics and now have a much better understanding of how things are.

Dave