| I.A.T.S.E. Local 481 New England Studio Mechanics Union covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Who We Are
If you watch television or go to the movies, you have seen our work. We are the people in New England that do the behind the camera work for movies, commercials and some of your favorite television programs. We also work on documentaries and non-broadcast corporate film and videos.
Local 481 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) represents over 400 of New Englands most experienced motion picture technicians. We represent employees in the following crafts within the film and commercial industries:
Art
Dept Coord
Buyers
Construction
Craft Services
Electric
Greens
Grip
Locations |
Medical/First
Aid
Properties
Set Dressing
Sound
Special Effects
Teleprompter Operators
Video
Wardrobe |
The Benefits of Membership
Short Term Disability Insurance provided free, as long as you are in member in good standing
Group Health, Dental, and Optical Insurance funded in whole or in part by employer contributions
Annuity Plan tax deferred, employer funded, to provide for retirement Training provided free to all members
Local 481 Hotline toll free, 24/7, providing production names and telephone numbers for current and future films.
Email Alerts on upcoming jobs and urgent crew needs, on meeetings and training, on organizing efforts, and other releveant issues.
Group Life Insurance provided at reduced rates
Local 481 Newsletter published 4-6 times a year
IATSE Magazine published quarterly
Availability List Local 481 members may advertise their availability for work to production companies and best boys
Scholarship Programs for graduating seniors who are children or grandchildren of members, funded by Local 481 and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.
$1000 per member provided free of charge
Representation by a full time Business Manager, supported by a professional office staff.
Union Dues
October 2008 Dues Update:
At the October 19, 2008 Executive Board Meeting, the board voted to offer a Dues Incentive for 2009.
Pay your total 2009 dues prior to January 31, 2009 for $240 instead of the current dues rate of $300 ($75/quarter). You must submit the entire payment in one check or authorize a credit card payment for the entire amount. To take advantage of the incentive you must not have ANY outstanding debts to the local, including assessments and initiation fees. Statements will be mailed by December 15th reflecting your outstanding financial obligations if any.
If you still wish to pay quarterly, the dues beginning first quarter, January 1, 2009 are $75 per quarter.
To support the activities of the Local, members pay dues of $75 every three months. In addition, when members are working on a job that is covered by a Union contract, they pay a work assessment of 2.75% of gross wages. New members pay a one-time application fee of $100 and a one-time initiation fee of $1000. Dues, assessment, application and initiation fees are all tax deductible.
Wages and Benefits
Please call the Local Union office at 781-376-0074 to request updated rates.
Obtaining Work
Local 481 members are freelance employees and secure their own work. Although the Local provides several tools to assist members (availability list, hotline) the Local is not a hiring hall. New members typically get started by day playing on major features or signing on to lower paid, low budget features. As they become better known among keys and best boys, they begin to move up the ladder. This is not a seniority driven system however and new members have been known to move into full budget features and commercials very quickly based on their own skills and their ability to sell themselves.
Who runs the Union?
The short answer is, the members do. The members meet at least four times per year to set the dues, establish or revise the by-laws, set staff salaries and make most other major decisions. The members also elect the officers of the Union, the Executive Board, Trustees, and the Business Manager. The members also elect delegates to the Quadrennial convention of the International.
The Executive Board meets eight times a year and sets policy within the parameters established by the membership. The President and Secretary/Treasurer provide day-to-day direction to the Local as well as overall leadership. The Business Manager is elected by the membership and represents the Local in all dealings with production companies and other external entities. The Business Manager receives direction from the President and Executive Board.
Do You Have Additional Questions?
Please call 781-376-0074 or e-mail us at IATSE481@AOL.COM
To learn more about the I.A.T.S.E. go to our About IATSE page. For information on hiring Local 481 members or membership information go to our Business Manager's page.
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