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“In Search of Liberty” Film Crew on Strike

IA President Short Appoints Safety Chairman

UPDATE: The production of “In Search of Liberty” shut down after the crew went on strike in an effort to collectively negotiate a living wage, classification as employees rather than independent contractors, and overtime pay. The producer said it will start up again at an undisclosed location elsewhere.

Unfair Labor Practice charges have been filed against the production company. The company tried to replace the crew with non-union workers by offering higher wages and making workers pledge to cross picket lines.

The crew members are now represented by the IATSE. Many of them are recent graduates or film students. They showed great courage in speaking up for their rights, especially in the challenging and difficult entertainment industry.

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SAVANNAH, GA – The 30-member crew of IC Liberty Pix’s film “In Search of Liberty” are on strike in an effort to collectively negotiate a living wage, classification as employees rather than independent contractors, and overtime pay. The crew, made up of current or recent students of the Savannah College of Art and Design, have been on strike since July 3.

“The conduct of this company is utterly disgraceful,” said Darla McGlamery, Central Region Business Representative of IATSE Local 600. “These courageous young people have sought only to be treated as industry professionals consistent with the employment and labor laws of the United States.”

Producer Norm Novitsky and Production Manager Chip Lane threatened to have a number of crew arrested after the strike and actively sought the arrest of McGlamery and organizers Scott Harbinson and Jason Rosin on false allegations.

“The irony and hypocrisy of a tea party activist like Norm Novitsky misclassifying employees as independent contractors in order to push payroll tax burdens from themselves on to employees – all the while seeking a $300,000 incentive from the taxpayers of the state of Georgia – is lost on no one,” said Harbinson.

The set has been dark since July 2, 2016, as production has been unsuccessful in finding replacement crew.

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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net

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