IATSE Locals Elect New Leadership, But Hard Feelings Over Contract Fade

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterFive months ago, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees was bitterly divided over a new contract, which was ratified by a historically narrow margin.Half of the membership defied their leaders and voted “no,” as opponents blamed International President Matthew Loeb for settling for too little and for not capitalizing on the threat of an industrywide strike.But while some of that anger remains, there is little evidence that the issue has carried over into local leadership elections this spring.

Even where local unions have thrown out their leaders, turnout has been low, and the issues seem to turn more on personalities than on the contract.One of the hotbeds of resistance to the deal was IATSE Local 80, the union that represents 3,800 grips, crafts service workers and set medics.

Nearly 70% of the union voted “no” on ratification, and the union’s longtime leader, business manager Thom Davis, resigned in December rather than seek re-election, saying at the time that he had long planned to retire.

Joel Galarza, a board member who opposed the contract, ran to replace Davis, hoping to harness the opposition. In a race for the interim job in February, he came within 10 votes of defeating DeJon Ellis, Jr., who had served as assistant business agent under Davis.