E Pluribus Union
It’s funny how certain anniversaries can zip right past unless something happens to remind you of them. The union protests in Wisconsin have reminded me that it’s been just about 35 years ago when I first joined my union, AFTRA (The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists). I still remember my first telephone call from the head of the local AFTRA office in Nashville, where I was working at the time. I was surprised to hear from him, because the station I worked for was a non-union station. I had, however, just received the good news that I was going to pick up some money by doing a small piece of voice work for a regional soft drink commercial, and the extra cash was going to come in handy. My caller told me, in a firm but friendly manner, that I couldn’t do that commercial unless I joined. I protested that I had not been told such a thing by the agency and, besides, joining would just about wipe out the small payment I was to receive. My new friend interrupted my protests with a simple, but persuasive, declaration: “If you do it without joining, I’ll see you never get a union job again in your life.” I tried to thank him for his help and congratulate him on his ability to paraphrase old movie lines, but he had already hung up. I took his friendly suggestion and joined. Happy anniversary.
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Comments :
Nov '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
_nion th_gs
I'd like to buy a vowel...
Sep '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
Mister Sajak, it has come to our attention that you have also been blogging without a union card. My associates are on their way over to your house to pick up the union dues that you clearly forgot to put in the mail. I am certain that you will appreciate how we are saving you the cost of a stamp.
Jan '11
Re: E Pluribus Union
But it mush have given you such warm feelings to stand with your brother ... oh never mind.
Jun '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
Nice little website you got here. Be a shame if some'n got broke.
Oct '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
Sorry you caved, Pat. Guess the "peer pressure" was too much to handle. I, also, fell to IBEW-local 45, during my few years at KFWB. My claim to fame there; I was one of the leaders of the move do de-certify that union. No doubt, when you start out in the "entertainment Biz", the unions own you, and with H'wood, most likely, they always will.
Oct '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
Being Black Balled.. Is the union term for never getting a job again..
May '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
I'll take the flat-screen teevee, the trip to Vegas, um, that picture there, and that sort of dog statue I guess, and put the rest toward the crew's unfunded pension liability.
Re: E Pluribus Union
As coincidence would have it, I just received my AFTRA dues statement. Once, years ago, I appeared on some show that required it, so I paid my whopping fee and got exactly nothing for it. But then, I also had to join the useless Writers Guild, which went on a pointless strike a few years back. Joining that back in 1990 cost $1500. And for that, they announced proudly, they were going to "give" me health care. I've always loved that construction. "Give" me health care. As if I couldn't "buy" it myself. They also "give" me a pension, as if I can't save for myself.
They "give" me a lot of stuff. None of which I've ever asked for.
But there's no other way, is there, Pat? I mean, to work in this business, it's just what you have to do. That's what I learned in 2007-2008, during the last WGA strike.
Re: E Pluribus Union
When I started at the university, the union said I had to join because I would want to participate in university life but could not unless I did. I could teach, I could go to department meetings, I could write papers. But if I wanted to participate in any committee or conference with members of other departments, I could not without joining.
I joined; 83% of our faculty do, at last count. I have even represented my department at faculty union senate (I refuse to call it faculty senate because non-union members cannot participate.) If I did not join they could take 85% of union dues from me anyway as my 'fair share' of their collective bargaining services. In other parts of the world this is known as 'protection money'. Because I wanted to participate, I give them the other 15% with which they may lobby the legislature and contribute to candidates.
Dec '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
But Pat, it worked! You joined AFTRA, and you became one of the biggest personalities in American TV! (It is a cause-and-effect relationship, isn't it?)
The funny thing is that the talent unions (SAG and WGA especially) were formed by people who wanted to feel like they were part of the proletariat and believed that forming a union to "fight the bosses" was a necessary part of that. The funnier thing is that so many current activists in SAG and WGA still think in those 1930s class struggle terms.
Sep '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
I had a similar experience with the CTA and the local union when I was a teacher in California. The Union had let the contract lapse, so I had an opening to teach and not be in the union, even though my district was a "closed shop.". I kept that status for just about a year when I was "counseled" by my friendly union rep that it would be a shame if someone accused me of sexually abusing a student, or something else, and the union wouldn't be there to back me up. Reading between the lines, I rejoined the union.
Happily, here in Kansas, I don't have to be a union member. Neither is Toto.
Dec '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
In 1985, while I was in grad school, I worked "part time" (maybe 60 hours a week, nights and weekends), building sets in the budding film industry in North Carolina. Non-union. I was just a grunt, but they brought in a miniseries that needed lots of fake boats, and my other part time job was in a boat yard.
I got moved up, from nowhere, and eventually guys I really liked to work for came up to me with this card. This is Card Check. In my young,naievete, I remained my brash self; I signed the card, because all it said was that we were alllowed to vote on unionization, not that we were voting for unionization.
That's all it took, eventually. The budding film industry in NC was destroyed just by the majority agrreeing to have a vote. I am sure I did my part, as when others saw me agree to a vote, they did so as well. I was sure we would have a vote, throw the children of unwed parents out, and move on.
Ah, to be young again!
Nov '10
Re: E Pluribus Union
I'd like to point out the my union thugs comment was hilarious, and I got no props. Just pointing it out. Of course, I can enjoy my own jokes without anyone's approval.