FITCHBURG, MA — The crew of the ultra-low budget feature “Chimera” celebrated the Memorial Day holiday by striking for and winning an IATSE contract.
After being contacted by an IATSE representative, the company agreed to discuss a contract to cover “Chimera.” There was concern that the company was actively seeking to replace members of the crew, and they indeed did fire three employees with the hopes of avoiding a union agreement.
The IATSE filed Unfair Labor Practice charges against the company and, after a lunchtime crew meeting with the IATSE and local union business agents, the entire group of IATSE-covered employees elected to go on strike.
After production was shut down for two days, the parties reached an agreement and a settlement of the Unfair Labor Practice charges.
The overall deal provides more than $75,000 in benefits to the crew and provides pay for those union activists who were discharged over their support of the union and organizing efforts.
