IATSE Local 492
Studio Mechanics of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi
General Facts & Questions
What is Local 492?
Local 492 is the Tennessee Studio Mechanics union. It is an affiliate of the IATSE, the international union of motion picture and television workers. It has recently been given jurisdiction over all motion picture technicians in the state of Tennessee and in Northern Mississippi except those employed in Camera, Editorial, Script Supervisor, Production Coordinator, APOC, or Hair and Makeup.
Who can join the union?
Local 492 is open to residents of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi working in all motion-picture crafts except Camera, Editorial, Script Supervisor, Production Coordinator, APOC, or Hair and Makeup. There is currently no test or election to membership. Click here for covered crafts.
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What does the union do for me?
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Local 492 represents crew members in negotiations with producers, both local and out-of-town. The union has set up a health and pension plan where the employers pay toward everyone's health insurance and retirement fund. The union will negotiate with the employers for the amount paid into these plans as well as working conditions and minimum pay scales. Local 492 will also set up educational programs for its members to ensure high standards for skills and to train interested parties in the use of new technology as it develops.
Who sets my rate?
You do. Local 492 sets benefits and working conditions for the job and will negotiate a minimum scale for each position on a crew. This will usually be close to the normal rate for that position. You can individually ask the producer for any rate above that minimum as you do now. On commercial and feature shoots many crew members get paid above scale.
What about overtime and guaranteed hours?
The union always requires overtime to be paid for work done in excess of 40 hours per week. For day work, overtime will be negotiated with the producer by the union. Guaranteed hours are also negotiated (in the case of local commercial and music video work probably the same minimum 10 hours people are familiar with) but as with rates, you can negotiate individually with the producer for any amount above the minimum just as you do now.
How much does it cost to be a member?
The initiation fee is currently $680, which includes a $100 processing fee and the dues for your first quarter. Quarterly dues are $80. To join now, you would write a check to Local 492 for $680 which would cover the initiation fee, processing fee, plus your dues for the first quarter. Thereafter you would pay $80 every three months. On jobs with signatory employers, a deduction of 3 1/2% of your pay would be made to support the union. If you did no signatory work, you would only pay the quarterly amount.
Who can hire members of Local 492?
Members can work for any company. Only companies with signatory agreements with Local 492 will pay into the health insurance and pension plans. Local 492 is a "Producer's Choice" local, meaning the producer can hire whoever they wish. The producer is not sent technicians by the union nor does the union recommend specific individuals. Local 492 will send out a list of its members who are available to work. The producer must contact the technicians individually.
How do the benefit plans work? See Health FAQ
In addition to your regular paycheck, signatory companies pay a certain amount of money into a fund to provide health insurance and retirement benefits to their employees. Amounts vary, but typically about $45-75 per day is paid by the producer into each employees "account". About 75% of this goes toward the union's group plan for low-cost health insurance or can be applied to your existing policy through the plan. The remainder accrues toward your retirement. If enough money goes into your health account, you receive full medical and hospitalization coverage. If you don't work enough days, you can "self -pay" the rest. The amounts paid by the producer into your plans are non-taxable to you.
What is a "Signatory"?
A signatory company is one which has signed a contract with the union. Generally they agree to pay benefits for their employees and negotiate a minimum pay scale and working conditions including turnaround and overtime pay.
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Can I join and still work for non-signatory companies?
Yes, but you will not receive contributions toward your health plan nor will you be covered under an agreement for basic working conditions. If a company is declared "Unfair" by the union, you may be asked to decline employment.
Since this is a right-to-work state, why should I join?
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Most of the working conditions you now enjoy, such as overtime, meal breaks and craft service have been established in the industry through union negotiations. No further improvements in local employment will be made without a strong union representing the best of Tennessee. Employers won't see the need to become signators so out-of-town companies will continue to pay low rates for long hours and local companies will not choose to participate in the health and pension plans. Without you as a member, the union cannot achieve its goal of developing more and better work for the local film community.
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Okay, okay. I'll join. How do I do it? See Application Instructions
Contact Local 492 at 615-386-3492 for an application packet or click here. You will also need to include a current resume and a copy of your current driver's license when returning the packet.