NY STATE TAX CREDITS The New York State Budget is up for vote in just a few weeks. It includes the renewal of the NY State tax credits for television and film production. It is very important to our industry and our local that these credits pass. Now is the time to call your representative, and ask that they vote for the approval of this budget with the inclusion of the tax credits. This affects both film/television and legit members, so please take the time to call.

It only takes a moment, and usually the people on the other end of the line are very receptive. With all that is going on in Albany, our voices are more important than ever to our representatives. Also, ANYONE in New York State can call with support of the budget and tax credits - one need not be in the industry. Friends, relatives, neighbors and anyone else you feel you can talk to and get them to call! In fact, it is important for the representatives to see that there is wide spread support for the continuation of the tax credits, and TV/film production in New York.

It is very easy. The link below will direct you to a page to find out who your representative is, and the phone, email and mailing address for that person. All you need is your zip code. A phone call is quick and you can be assured to talk to someone, but email is also very convenient.

Please share this link with others!

A sample comment might go something like this: "I am calling to ask Representative (whomever) to support the proposed budget that includes the Tax credits for Television and Film. A report issued by the Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli showed that over 60,000 jobs were created and 7 billion dollars generated into the NY State economy due to previous tax credits. I feel that this is good for the economy of the state, and I would like my representative to know my views." The above numbers are from a March 16th article in the Hollywood reporter for reference.

Let's be proactive in keeping work in the state! For New Jersey and Connecticut brothers and sisters, I am doing research for your own states, and will have an update soon.

Match Shannon Bone Marrow Drive

The Company of Lion King will be hosting the Match Shannon Bone Marrow Drive in our lobby at the Minskoff Theater on Friday July 23, 2010 from 10am - 3pm.

We still need volunteers for the event so PLEASE sign up for at least a 3 hour commitment. Volunteers need not only be Lion King Cast and Crew, all are invited. If interested, contact the union office and we will forward your name and contact information.

We want to stress the importance that all communities need to be swabbed. Especially those of African American, Latin American and Mixed race nationalities, as they make up less the 10% of the national registry. However, Shannon could possibly receive the life giving marrow from a Caucasian or Asian donor. The more people swabbed, the higher the percentage Shannon will find a match!

Also, our Amazing tech guru Joel has so brilliantly built a website to help spread the word. Matchshannon.com  is filled with information, pictures and press about all things Shannon. Check it out!!

BROADWAY LEAGUE NEGOTIATIONS

Members of Local 764 currently working on Broadway:

Our first negotiation meeting with the Broadway League will occur on Tuesday July 27, 2010 beginning at 10am. Members who have proposals or issues to be brought up in negotiations should contact Legit Business Representative Bart Daudelin at bdaudelin@ia764.org or 212 957 3500 ext 4.

Members interested in serving on the bargaining committee should contact President Pat White at pwhite@ia764.org or 212 957 3500

The History of Local 764
The Theatrical Wardrobe Union (TWU) Local 764 has represented wardrobe personnel in the New York area since it was founded in 1919 and chartered under the American Federation of Labor as Theatrical Wardrobe Attendants Union # 16770. On August 1, 1942, the Union was granted a charter by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada (I.A.T.S.E.) and became Local #764 of the International. In October 1982 a revised charter was issued in the name of Theatrical Wardrobe Union. In 1990, with the merger of NABET Local 15 and the I.A.T.S.E., Local 764 became the only local representing wardrobe workers in the New York City area.
The Theatrical Wardrobe Union (TWU) Local 764 has represented wardrobe personnel in the New York area since it was founded in 1919 and chartered under the American Federation of Labor as Theatrical Wardrobe Attendants Union # 16770. On August 1, 1942, the Union was granted a charter by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada (I.A.T.S.E.) and became Local #764 of the International. In October 1982 a revised charter was issued in the name of Theatrical Wardrobe Union. In 1990, with the merger of NABET Local 15 and the I.A.T.S.E., Local 764 became the only local representing wardrobe workers in the New York City area.

Jurisdiction
Local 764 is unique in that it has contracts in all areas of the entertainment industry. Its members work as Wardrobe Supervisors, (or Costumers) and Assistants on feature films, pilots, soap operas, commercials and a variety of television programs. They are Wardrobe Supervisors, Assistants, and Dressers at venues including Broadway theatres, the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theatres, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Madison Square Garden, Nassau Coliseum, and Radio City Music Hall.
The physical jurisdiction is defined as within a 50 mile radius of Columbus Circle for film and New York City, Long Island and Westchester County for theatre.

What a union can do for you
A Union is a group of workers who may come together to promote their common interests. The employees' role in a unionized workplace is unique.  With a union, those who work for a particular employer are no longer just a group of individuals; they are a collective unit, as well.  The Union has the right-and legal duty-to speak with one voice on behalf of all the employees in what is called the "Collective Bargaining Unit", thus the employer loses the advantage of dealing with each employee individually.  In a non-union setting, workers count on only their own strength; as a union member, workers still have their own strength, PLUS the strength of the group. Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes put it this way in a 1937 Supreme Court Decision:
Long ago we stated the reason for labor organizations. We said they were organized out of the necessitates of the situation; that a single employee was helpless in dealing with the employer...that the union was essential to give laborers the opportunity to deal on an equal basis with their employers.
His words ring just as loud today.
Deregulation, overzealous spending sprees on credit, mortgages not worth anything close to the real value of the house, and plain old apathy over the past two decades has created this credit and housing market bubble and their subsequent collapse.  Indeed, now more than ever, it is important for workers everywhere to unionize, to speak with one voice and to look out for each.