Speaker Brian Egolf
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, along with House Majority Leader Javier Martinez and Majority Whip Doreen Gallegos, issued the following statement Thursday in support of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members fighting to secure the dignity and safe working conditions they deserve in the entertainment industry.
“New Mexico is home to a vibrant film and television industry and one of the largest crew bases in the country. The Legislature has worked hard to incentivize studios to bring productions to New Mexico, and we are proud of the incredible productions made here. Our state’s investment helped to revive this industry, and we are happy to see that production is booming here.
The members of IATSE 480 are the backbone of this industry. Every day, their work makes New Mexico look great to the world. Their hard work, skill, and dedication help to create the magic of film and television on the screen. IATSE members have risked their health and safety for the past year, working through the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the motion picture and television industry remained intact. Production has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, due in no small part to the essential role these workers play in turning creative vision into reality.
The key issues in the negotiation with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), as we understand them, are about worker dignity, safety, and basic human necessities. The union is asking for living wages, sustainable benefits, and reasonable rest periods between shifts and during the workday.
The strong labor-management partnership in the entertainment industry has been essential to its success. It has also been key to the ability of all the unions and employers to respond when faced with difficult issues that impact the industry, as evidenced by the unique COVID safety protocols that were jointly agreed to and put in place in 2020.
Behind every great film and television show is a hardworking crew of union members. We support IATSE members in New Mexico and across the country as they begin a strike authorization vote Oct. 1, 2021.”