New By-Law
At the February Membership meeting, the members present passed a new by-law that requires members to call in to their respective Business Agent when they do work that is not covered by a Union contract. Because this is a by-law, it affects all members: Stagehands and Projectionists. Non-members are not required to call in work, but may follow this process on a voluntary basis.
If you take work within the Local's jurisdiction (any position that is covered under Local 15 contracts in film projection or maintenance, theatre, shop, concert, convention or tradeshow), call your Business Representative with the following information: your name, the employer name and/or contact person, the venue, the start date and duration of the job. You need to call in not later than the day following completion of the first day of work or within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving the call, whichever comes first. Projectionists need to call Brian at 206-441-1540 and Stagehands need to call Bill's voicemail at 206-901-3762.
If you have continuous employment with the same company in the same venue, you only need to call in once, unless you change jobs or venues. If you do various gigs for the same company, you need to report every gig.
We are hoping this new by-law will help Local 15 bring more jobs under contract. Thanks for helping!
Picketing in Everett
Mark your calendars! Local 15 will be picketing the Duran Duran concert at the Everett Events Center on Wednesday, March 9 from 5 pm until 8 pm or so. We are counting on a good turnout to talk to the public again before we take the next step in our efforts to get the Facilities District to recognize our contract with Global Spectrum. The loss of the EEC work has had economic impact on every level of the stage dispatch list. Projectionists are encouraged to show up in solidarity with their stagehand brothers and sisters!
Quarterly Dues
Quarterlies for 2nd Quarter were due March 1st. They are overdue March 30th and a message will be left on the availability voicemail indicating that if you don't pay, you will not be called for work until you pay.
Stagehands and Projectionists who still owe 1st and 2nd quarter at the beginning of June will be receiving expulsion letters. Members working under security clauses will receive termination notices from their employers at the same time.
Please help your Local manage its red ink by paying your dues on time.
All Stagehands and Projectionists must call in their availability weekly to be eligible for dispatch.




IATSE Local 15 Cue Sheet
2800 1st Ave, Room 231
Seattle WA 98121
Light Duty Dispatch Policy
On the advice of Local 15 counsel, the light duty dispatch policy has been modified. Local 15 will no longer require a medical release for workers who are returning to work after an injury or illness. The new policy puts the responsibility on the worker to accept work that is appropriate to his/her physical condition. The new policy is below in its entirety.
If you are injured on the job severely enough to be restricted from work by a medical professional, or, if you are hospitalized for injury, operation or illness and are unable to work, you are responsible for accepting calls that are appropriate for your current physical ability.
If you require light duty work, you will be asked to fill out a skills assessment indicating what jobs you are currently able to perform. This form will be forwarded to the dispatchers and they will call you according to your seniority and availability for the jobs you have selected. If you accept a job that requires the employer to accommodate your limitations, the employer will be given the opportunity to decide whether or not accommodation is possible. If you disagree with the employer, call your Business Representative immediately.
When you receive a full release with no restrictions, please let the dispatchers know as soon as possible and you will be eligible for full dispatch again.
On a more fraternal note, please let us know right away if you are laid up. Your Local can arrange to have someone help you out with groceries, housework and the like until you get back on your feet. For financial assistance while you are out of work, we often pass the hat. In cases of great financial need, you can apply for a donation or quarterly dues grant from the Tom Adams Memorial Fund, which is administered by the Executive Board. If we don't know, we can't help you!

Outreach
If you would like notice of volunteer opportunities by email or have ideas for ways that Local 15 can give back to the theatre community, email Alex at outreach@ia15.org. Remember, get your volunteer hours approved in advance. There is a new volunteer hour form – please get one from Betsy!

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
March 2005
Organizing
The National Labor Relations Board and the Everett Event Center, along with Local 15, has agreed to hold a certification vote on March 11th between 6: 00pm and 6:45pm at the Center. Approximately fourteen employees are eligible to vote and all are excited about becoming IA workers. Local 15 will be holding another informational picket at the Everett Event Center on March 9th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Please put this on your calendar and be sure to attend.
The two newest organizing efforts, at the Washington Center and the Auburn Art Center, are currently negotiating their first new agreements.

Stage Dispatch List
The list was published on January 20th on the counter in the office. There were quite a few changes based on appeals from the February meeting. The final 1st quarter list was completed February 11. Both the seniority and the dispatch lists are on the counter now.
The members at the February meeting declined to reduce the hours required for list placement in 2004.
Corrections made after the February meeting will be reflected in the April 20th list. All appeals for list placement 2005 must be made at one of the next two meetings, in writing or in person, March 7 or April 4. The April list will also reflect the 2005 Apprentice class.
Head Carpenters can get their lists by coming by the office, calling the office at 206-441-1515 for a fax or emailing BOE@ia15.org.

Apprentices
The 2005 class is still being finalized. All candidates who were sent 1st round packets and returned the necessary paperwork by the due date have been accepted into the class. The second round of packets will be mailed by March 3rd. The deadline to apply for that round is March 23rd.
Craft reviews are beginning for the 2004 class starting with Props on March 3rd. With all the best intentions, Laurel will try to get all the reviews done by June. All the required classes for the 2004 class have been offered at least once this year.
The 2002 class is scheduled to be elevated at the April meeting. I f you are concerned about your status, check the 2002 binder in the office.
Business Representative
As I informed you in the last Cue Sheet, we currently have many contracts open and several first time agreements, with several that will open during the next few months. While it has been tough on many of our employers, I do not sense that the pot is completely empty...on the other hand I do not sense that the employers are in a mood to give away the farm...but we will have a better idea of were they are in the coming months. One employer that is playing tough has been the City if Seattle. They want the employees to cover more of their health insurance costs and the unions are saying no way. I believe that the negotiations are at a critical level and would not be surprised to see the City's unions to call for a strike vote in the not to distant future just to prove they mean business.
First Night in Tacoma & Evergreen Ballet are delinquent in their payrolls. Workers who worked on either are encouraged to contact me to help with the process of filing with L&I.
In Solidarity, Bill Wickline   

On the Job
The summer is looking much busier than last year. It's a Ring summer, the 5th Avenue is doing a pre-Broadway production and there is a rumor that the latest anniversary installment of Annie may be at the Paramount. Add to that the recent news that Microsoft Company meeting will be back at Safeco in August and we may need all 500 people on the list this year. Keep your ear to the ground, but you may want to vacation in June or postpone until after Labor Day this year. Work Safely.


Dispatch Rules
At the December 2004 meeting, the members present voted to add a new final bullet (underlined below) to the end of Dispatch Rule 4 B.
Dispatch Rule 4 B. Principle of Dispatching
The principle of equitable and uniform dispatching as provided by these Rules will be a general guideline. Local 15 reserves the right to dispatch any worker it chooses based upon:         
-The actions of a worker that lead directly to securing contracted employment for Local 15.
This new rule means that if you help the Local secure contracted work, the Local can give you dispatch priority for the call.

City Card Renewal
With the opening of McCaw Hall, city card renewal has gotten much easier. If your city card is expiring or (gasp!) already expired, just drop by the McCaw Hall stage door Monday through Friday 8:30-3:30 or anytime building is in use. They can take your picture and issue your new card right there. The whole process only takes a few minutes and the new cards are good for two years.

NSF Check Policy
At the January meeting, the members approved a fee of $25 for bad checks. If you give us a check and it bounces, you will be charged $25.
Local 15 is made up of its workers, Join Today!