wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

@ Gene... "closed to outsiders...especially blacks"

Not true. For many years, the union has offered open apprenticeship exams to the public whenever their list runs low. Anyone can take the test. The membership pool is increasingly diverse as a result, with more women and minorities taking (and passing) the test each time.

The union's issue is preserving living standards for skilled workers who have been (and still are) prone to abuse. As a 20-yr veteran of the non-union theater world--where you're lucky to get paid a living wage, if at all--union protections for wages, job security and safety remain a welcome, indeed necessary force in the industry.

It's hard to advocate for unions when IATSE is an inbred feifdom.

James J. Claffey Jr., the president of Local 1 of IATSE got his job from his dad, and has many relatives in the union.

After over 100 years of this nepotism, the union is effectively closed to outsiders -- especially blacks.

If Unions want support, they have to stand up for their original ideals, and do so honestly and openly.

Unions like IATSE are what turned people against unions and broke the movement in the first place. This is how we got to the dismal state of the US worker we have today.

I'm CWA and pro Union. Given a choice Management will favor management. Look no further than the MTA . Before the Contract talks they voted themselves a raise. During the talks, they claimed poverty. The Networks want Status Quo with Internet Broadcasts but somebody is selling lots of ads even if the ads are self promoting. Broadway wants to cut costs at the same time that theatre tickets are being Sold at record prices. $150 for the cheap seats at Young Frankenstein?
It bugs me to no end to hear non- Union complain that since they go without healthcare and Job security, everyone should. That might be the contract You negotiated for yourselves but We think we are worth more.
IF the unions were so easily replaceable, the strikes would have ended last week. Stop the culture of unreasonable bonuses for management and you'll find the money to pay the workers fairly.

guess no one cares about working people.
this segment was too brief but some mention is better than none

Back when I knew IATSE, it was all Italian and Irish (I felt I was back in Catholic school), and VERY nepotistic, the positions passed father to son.

I don't know if this has changed, but looking at the picket lines on TV, I don't see any semblance of a multi-cultural union.