Quarterly Dues
For those who may still be confused about their quarterlies, here again is the bottom line. Stamps, which cover the per capita that the Local pays to the International, District One and the various Labor Councils, are $45. Local 15 does not keep this money and, if you don't pay it, the Local actually loses the money it has paid out on your behalf. Defense Fund assessments, which cover legal bills, organizing, continuing education and our strike fund, are $25. This money goes into the Defense Fund and can only be used for the specific purposes spelled out in the Constitution. Your quarterlies are due the first day of the last month of the previous quarter for the next quarter (Dec. 1, Mar. 1, Jun. 1, Sep. 1). If you don't pay your stamps by the due date, there is a 30-day grace period before you are in arrears. That means if you don't pay on or before the dates listed above, you can be suspended 30 days later. As most of you know, the arrears list is compiled and given to the dispatchers on the first Monday of the month. From the minute they get the arrears list, you will not be called for work until you pay your dues and that can be communicated to the dispatchers by Betsy, Bill or Laurel. If you don't pay your quarterlies for two consecutive quarters, you will be expelled. If you can, it is very helpful for the Local if you pay for the whole year at once. If you bank online, you may be able to schedule quarterly payments.

Apprentice Selection
It is time once again for the Apprentice Committee to select a new class of apprentices. This year there are 27 openings in the program. To be eligible, you must be a first card member, have 1250 cumulative hours and 100 hours worked in the last year (2004). Once the BOE has created the list of those eligible, the Apprentice Secretary/Treasurer will send out packets to the 27 members with earliest qualification dates who qualify for the program. To qualify, you must be in good standing at the time of selection, which happens the week the dispatch list comes out. If you are ineligible this year, you will be invited when you are eligible. If you receive an invitation and decline or do not respond, you must send a written request to the Apprentice Committee before January 1 of any year you want to be considered. Packets will be mailed on January 21. Classes for the new apprentices start in April.
Mark your calendars!
Local 15 is holding a picket at the Everett Event Center on January 26th.
The loss of this work has had a big impact on the Local and we need to let the community know that the Everett Facilities District refuses to recognize our valid Union contract!!!!!




IATSE Local 15 Cue Sheet
2800 1st Ave, Room 231
Seattle WA 98121
Outreach
Currently there are volunteer opportunities for Outreach credit with the Artist Trust Auction. We are looking for 6 volunteers on Feb. 3rd from 12-4pm for the in and 4 volunteers on Feb. 6th from 2-6pm for the out. We have volunteered for the Artist Trust for many years. The money raised provides grants to local artists.
Email outreach@ia15.org if you are interested in more info, have a volunteer opportunity for which you would like pre-approval or to get on the outreach mailing list.
The New Year seems a perfect opportunity to remind everybody of some simple rules. Hour credit for list placement can be given for volunteer work done in our craft and geographical jurisdiction. Credit will only be given for gigs that have been pre-approved by the Outreach Coordinator. Credit will only be given if a Volunteer Hour Timesheet is filled out, signed off, if necessary, and turned in to the office within 30 days of the work done. Timesheets are available in the office on the wall opposite Betsy's counter. Because I am not in the office on a regular basis, please do not place timesheets directly in the Outreach Mailbox. Please give your timesheets to Betsy so she can mark them with the date received. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Business Representative
I hope this report finds everyone doing well after the holidays. This year, while I continue to search out work for the Local, I must turn my attention to the upcoming contract negotiations, as well as trying to finish some contracts that are currently open. Just to let you know what the contract load is, and will become, I thought I would list them for you. Contracts currently open, or new contracts are: NASCO, Seattle Art Museum, Everett Event Center, City of Seattle, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Auburn Performing Arts Center, Intiman, and Meydenbauer Center. Contracts due to open this year include the following: The Big Four, ACT, Children's Theatre, One Reel, Lakeside Management, Folklife, Bellevue Civic Theatre, Rise Up Productions, and Hollywood Lights. As you can see we will be a little busy this year negotiating contracts. That's all I have right now. Take care of each other, and be safe.
In Solidarity, Bill Wickline  
 
The Cue Sheet


This newsletter is the official publication of the Stage Division of IATSE Local 15. It is compiled and edited by Sister Tristan. Articles are solicited from officers, staff and committee chairs. If you want an issue addressed call 206-441-1515 or e-mail: cuesheet@ia15.org .
The Cue Sheet
January 2005
Safety Committee
Several members have volunteered to serve on our new safety committee. We will be meeting on a regular basis. Those members with concerns or issues are advised to forward them to the Business Rep for Stage in the office. 

Organizing
While we carry on with work on new contracts at those venues previously organized, we are continuing to organize the AV and Operations crews at the Everett Event Center. As some of you have heard, our attempt at getting the stagehand work back under the IA contract with Global Spectrum took a turn for the worst, as the N.L.R.B. rejected all the signed cards we had gathered from our members who had worked at the Center April through June while the contract was being used. Instead of losing a vote, we decided to fall back and reorganize. This is what we are currently doing, as well as meeting with organized labor and public officials in Everett. Additionally, we will start an informational picket line. The first picket line is scheduled for Wednesday January 26 during, before and after the Cher concert. Jerry Crangi is in charge of the line. We need everyone who is not working to be there. Please put this event on your schedule.      Thank You, Bill Wickline

From the Office
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you've changed your address in the last year, make sure to notify all your Employers. They need correct info on you to send out your paychecks and W-2's.
PARAMOUNT PAY: When you work at the Paramount you are working for the SEATTLE THEATRE GROUP and not THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE. When you submit for unemployment and list the Paramount Theatre as your employer, it is counted against Ida's old company and the payroll gal has to write a letter to Employment Security correcting the mistake. Needless to say this is very time consuming and she would appreciate your assistance in this matter.
How many employers did I work for in 2004??? Who were they??? You can get a printout of your wages, hours and employers by asking Betsy or Flossie to print one for you. If you want it sent, just ask. Of course, it's less expensive for the Local if you pick it up. Just stop by sometime and we can print it out for you.
Board of Examiners
In the fourth quarter of 2004 the BOE interviewed and accepted twenty-one new workers to the Hiring Hall. Additionally, please welcome back two reinstated workers and one “Out of Town” card to the list.
New to the list: Kit Andersen, William Bender, Ed Chatterton III, Jon Cohen, Evelin Darroch, Dorian Demetrulias, Max Ellis, Brian Gerard, Justin Gorman, Joshua Hegarty, Douglas Paasch, Randy Reece, Clark Sanford, Brandon Skillin, Jon Springer, Mike Sterkowicz, Steven “Greg” Sumerlin, Jason Thiroux, Derek Van Heel, Mike Vivevos, and John Wittig. Reinstatements: Peter Tomter and Eli Veljkov.
Out of Town Cards: Steve Levine.
The BOE did not conduct an entry test this quarter. We will not conduct an entry test until the market demand increases.
In our ongoing attempt to keep dispatch skills accurate and current, the BOE will contact you to downgrade your skills if you have reported a discrepancy to the dispatchers other than what is present on your self-assessment form.
Finally, thank you all who volunteered. Without the Journeymen we could not interview candidates. Without the administrative volunteers we could not respond quickly to your questions and requests.
Best wishes for a happy and safe 2005!

Meeting Notes
At the January meeting a motion was passed to discontinue the practice of the BOE approving hours in unrepresented establishments based on a jobsite visit by a member of the board. The practice may be re-established if Rule 10 is rewritten to include it. Anyone with input on this practice is urged to come to the February meeting.
At the next membership meeting, the body will be examining a recommendation from the BOE about reducing the required hours for the dispatch list this year. The list that is published on 1/21 will be based on the normal requirements and if a change is made at the February meeting, the list will be updated accordingly as soon as possible.



The Newsreel will not be seen this month due to a severe lack of news. Stay tuned to this space next time for the return of the Newsreel.
Local Communication
Communication with the Local is a very important to you and us. Please keep your address and phone number updated at all times. If you have an email address, please send it to pres@ia15.org. The President will be spending more time this year on her dream of a common database for the office, dispatch and all committees. A girl can dream, can't she?

Seattle Public Libraries Offer Free Internet Connection
Internet access can be very important for communicating with the office, officers and committees. If you can't afford the high price of your own ISP, computers for internet access and word processing are available in most Seattle libraries; all equipped with Microsoft Word and Excel. You can also print stuff there but it costs a dime a page. You need a library card to use the library's computers and they are free too! For more information, call the library – all the phone numbers can be found in the blue pages of the phone book under city government. Once you can get online at the library, go to www.emailaddresses.com to sign up for a free email address. Be sure to send your address to pres@ia15.org.

Non-Union Union Play
Capital Hill Arts Center is presenting the play “Waiting for Lefty” by Clifford Odets. Beginning and ending in a meeting hall, “Waiting for Lefty” conveys the gradual movement towards a strike for a group of taxi cab drivers in 1930's America. Composed of love scenes, fights and rabble-rousing, the story ends with a resounding chorus to "STRIKE!" Replete with a four-star historical exhibit, CHAC explores the simple beauty of the workingman's world through this highly stylized production. The show features live 1930's musical stylings by the ensemble, Musical Direction by John Osebold of Awesome.
CHAC is a small performance group and is reaching out to Unions with a special ticket offer for Union workers. Laurel received the following invitation via email:
On behalf of Capitol Hill Arts Center I'd like to invite you and your fellow union workers to our upcoming play “Waiting for Lefty” by Clifford Odets. We have a special Union-worker's price for the show – only $9 a person for a group of six people. We'd love to have you in our theatre. Please contact me if you'd like to purchase tickets at this special promotional rate. amy@capitolhillarts.com or 206.388.0501.
“Waiting for Lefty” plays Thursdays – Saturdays through 2/12 at CHAC, 1621 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, 206.388.0500.