Should i Join the Union?

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by JohnO

Can't a Taft-Hartly apply? Supposed to allow for one-off union gigs without having to join the union. I did it for a one-time AFTRA gig.

No. That will not apply.
Furthermore, why woud a producer gonthroughthe effort, cost and nightmare to even try, when there is more than enough union audio talent readily available?

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler

Isn't it illegal to not be considered for work because you aren't part of a union or group?

No. That is only in right to work states I think.
California is not a right to work state.

Thank god.

[myke2242]

Originally Posted by lexaudio

Well the info is not completely correct. First you need to find out the requirements for the rooster level you are asking, like y-1 for re-recording mixer.

Your work has to fulfill a certain number of hours over two or three years and it has to have screened or aired.

If you meet those, and the union excepts you, you are on the union rooster. You. Don't have to pay any dues yet.
You have to take a few classes and once you have worked 30 union days then you are required to pay the initiation fee (3100 for y-1) plus union dues throu the year.

You can't work a union job if you aren't in the union or on the rooster. So if you were to get called for a union job and not on the rooster they can't hire you.

It's worth being on the rooster if you know you are going to get some decent union work.

I do met the requirements to join, that is not a issue. I am sure rooster takes time like everything in life. the dilemma is with all the out of work editors how effective is the rooster going to be... That being said is it cost effective to join?

[lexaudio]

Originally Posted by myke2242

I do met the requirements to join, that is not a issue. I am sure rooster takes time like everything in life. the dilemma is with all the out of work editors how effective is the rooster going to be... That being said is it cost effective to join?

The rooster does nothing. You will have to get your own work. You will need to provide pay stubs as well.

It is cost effective if you can get work. Once you work 30 union days, you are required to join.

Its a toss up. You can't do union work without getting on the rooster.

[C]

As someone who has just gone through this:

1- Call the Editors Guild
2- Schedule to go to one of their Thursday 'induction' meetings
3- They will send you the Contract Services (the roster)
4- Get on the Roster - costs nothing but if you have a piece of paper that may be relevant take it with you they are bureaucrats of the highest order.
5- Once on the roster you can seek union work and once you have union work then after 30 days you must join the union.

Other things to note.

Union will allow you to set up a payment plan over 6 months.
'Upgrades' cost the difference between induction fees and the dues are very reasonable.
Unlike some unions the Editors Guild allow their members to work non-union but you risk losing benefits if you do not meet the hours required in a given period to maintain healthcare etc.

All of this is covered in their induction meetings.

Bottom line.

Yes do it. If you qualify, then do it. If you are even thinking about it and have an inkling that you may qualify then call them and have a conversation. They are good people to want to help.

Ceri

[MIKEROPHONICS]

phew - reading all this I don't know if I should be happy or sad that Thatcher smashed the unions here in Blighty....

[C]

It's less complex than it seems at first Mike. Great blog post yesterday by the way, a lot of what you wrote about is actually helped by this whole union thing here.
Don't get me wrong you still find those that should be teaching the editors guild also have training classes etc which are a nice resource and financial advisors too.

Mike's blog post for those that haven't seen it: http://blog.mikerophonics.com/#post0

Hope you're well,

C

[MIKEROPHONICS]

HI Ceri

I'm great thanks - thanks for the kind words

cheers

[ggegan]

IMO The best reasons to join the union are being able to work on higher profile projects and the excellent benefits. Be warned, however, that being a member does not guarantee getting work and that the Editors Guild has raised health plan eligibility requirements to 400 hours per 6 months, which is causing many members to have problems qualifying. The fringes on union work amount to somewhere around a 32% premium on top of the hourly wage, which increases labor costs. On low budget projects this means making a choice between higher wages and more paid work time for a non-union project vs lower wages and less time, but earning benefit qualification hours if it is done union, that is if it is even possible to do the job under union rules given budget restrictions. I'm not making a case either pro or con union, I'm just pointing out some of the realities involved.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by MIKEROPHONICS

phew - reading all this I don't know if I should be happy or sad that Thatcher smashed the unions here in Blighty....

Well, the good thing about the union, is that even non-union work in LA pays better than most other places. Much better.