Organizing efforts in the motion picture division of the IATSE have again met with success. 

The IATSE, in conjunction with Locals 600 and 493 recently negotiated a collective bargaining agreement on the $2.5 million low budget feature film, “Bottleneck” being produced by KD Productions, Inc. and shooting in Fayette, Missouri. The agreement provided for substantial wage increases and retroactive benefit contributions in addition to the protections of a collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations took place over a ten hour period, culminating in an agreement greatly benefiting technicians employed on the production.

In a separate drive, the International, along with Local 600, successfully secured a collective bargaining agreement on the low budget feature film, “Chrystal”. The film was shooting in the rural Arkansas town of Eureka Springs. The budget was $1.9 million. The contract, reached with Chrystal Productions, LLC after an around-the-clock negotiating session, calls for retroactive benefit contributions, improvements in overtime, rest period invasion and meal penalties. In addition, all crew members were guaranteed housing and per diem. It is expected that as many as ten non-union crew persons will join the IATSE as a result of this organizing drive.