On April 19th, the IATSE visited the set of “Playdate,” a 15-day webisode produced by Decoupage Productions, a company out of NY. Multiple crew members had called in this non-union new media project shooting in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Halfway through the production schedule, and with the crew waiting out on the sidewalk with their local representatives, the IATSE had an initial meeting with the Company’s producers. They claimed that, although this production had deals with the DGA and AFTRA, they did not have the budget to allow for any other union representation. Claiming to be “pro-crew,” it was stated as fact that if the crew insisted on an IATSE contract the production would shut down permanently.

Despite this threat, the crew voted overwhelmingly to hold out for a contract. Production ceased for the day while Decoupage Productions decided on a course of action. On Friday, negotiations began between the Company and the IATSE. By Saturday, a contract was agreed upon and the crew returned to work Monday with standard industry working conditions, a wage increase and benefits retroactive to date of hire.