In a time when people are leaping into anything that will earn then a meager living, taking any employment at a fraction of what would even be considered a living wage, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Contract Services Administration Trust Fund has taken it upon themselves to hold hostage the living future of members whom they are meant to protect and represent. I too have lowered my working rate to fraction of what I was making 10 years ago just to make ends meet. Yet even with that, I too fall victim to companies and shows failing to meet their economic responsibilities. Last year I had to seek legal action in small claims against a law firm just to get my paid my wages for the last month of employment, not a contract but a 9 to 5 job.

We all know the working environment in Hollywood and in general has not only been cold, it has been a non existent canvas for work for the most part. Run away production to the four corners of the globe combined with hostile political and financial conditions in California with terrible financial fallout in the past 18 months have reduced the once plentiful work arena in Hollywood to a hand full of shows that only a small percentage of people can earn a living at. What makes matter worse, union representatives such as Local 44’s current incumbent administration have taken it upon themselves to only deal out projects or jobs to the inner circle of individuals while leaving the rest of the membership to fend for themselves. It is no secret that some higher placed individuals in Local 44‘s political circles have taken multiple shows for them self with no consequences for doing so while others who take more than one show at a time are fined by the local. With respects to Local 800, this is an organized body that fights for it's members but due to the lack of finances I have had to let my dues laps with them and this year I can not afford to pay for either local membership dues (about $3,700 total).

In addition, there is a lack of concern for members at the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund level with regards to inquiries about standing and qualifications. From personal experience, I have repeatedly made every attempt to clarify my Prop Shop rating status even to the point of personal face to face meeting with people at the CSATF office in Burbank. The result of these actions was silence on behalf of the CSATF even though I have

repeatedly inquired what more is needed or required. However the CSATF has yet to contact me on my prop shop status, but has had no problem removing me from the roster.

To summarily throw someone out of an organized body without a timely proper notice, is inexcusable. The greater offense is I have paid my dues each year as a member in good standing, have looked for work and have not received a phone call for work in the past 24 months from Local 44. If I were able to do the work of a carpenter once again I would, but due to the many years of working with my hands, I am no long able to sustain that type of employment without serious effects to my hands.

On Friday the 23rd of April I received these notices in the regular mail. Attached below are the declarations submitted by the CSATF and their position of “get a union job or your out”. It does not matter there are not enough productions employing people in the film industry, nor does it matter the jobs that are available are only a fraction of the membership. This month of May, I will not be able to make my own mortgage payment, it is difficult for me to afford to buy food, I still have not been able to pay my property taxes for 2009/2010 and I made less that $7,000 for all on 2009, so what is a single person to do? I guess the solution from the Motion Picture Union is to throw me an anchor…

Thanks for nothing, I am sinking fast enough on my own.

Read the letters for yourself......