COVID-19 Return to Work Agreements
The Hollywood unions announced that a new COVID-19 Return to Work Agreement had been reached with the producers. The new agreement, which will remain in effect until July 15, 2022, includes the following modifications.
- Reduced testing in Zones A & B.
- Relaxed mask guidelines in most on-set areas.
- Increased flexibility for meals & transportation.
Pre-employment testing, quarantine pay, sick leave, and Employer Vaccination Requirements remain unchanged. Areas in which COVID-19 hospitalizations remain high are subject to a return to earlier RTW protocols. All protocols apply to cast & crew, regardless of vaccination status.
From the Local 695 Young Workers Committee:
After a long hiatus, the Local 695 Young Workers Committee (YWC) is back in action!
In early April, we had our annual Spring Hike at Shoemaker Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest. Attendance was about ten members, including one prospective member. During the 5-mile hike, members were able to connect with each other, offer mentorship and advice, as well as hear each other’s stories.
With overall goals of education, environmental efforts, and inter-local solidarity, 695 YWC is working on future events that include movie nights, video game nights, and sessions discussing Robert’s Rules to better understand the language of our meetings. On April 16, focusing on the environmental effort and inter-local aspects of our mission, several 695 YWC members participated in the Hollywood IA Young Workers Coordinating Committee’s Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup, hosted by Heal the Bay.
In addition to our cleanups and hikes, we’re trying to engage with our planet in a direct action involving the industry and all of the Hollywood locals.
If you or anyone you know has an interest in green thinking and a penchant for recycling, please reach out for more information!
To connect with 695 Young Workers Committee, please contact us at ywc@local695.com
Safety Bulletin #45
On March 10, Contract Services published Safety Bulletin #45—a guideline pertaining to the practice of rolling long and successive takes on the set. This document was previously a Safety & Awareness Sheet, which has now been upgraded to a full safety bulletin. As digital technology has evolved and removed limitations on how long an individual take can roll before being forced to cut, many cast and crew members have been required to support weighted loads or maintain awkward positions for prolonged periods. Research shows that these practices can lead to severe negative health effects. All members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the bulletin and present it to producers when asked to perform outlined tasks that can negatively impact their health. A digital copy of the bulletin can be downloaded from the Local 695 website. If you have a safety concern on the set and wish to remain anonymous to the production, please contact the Local so that we may intervene on your behalf.
FROM THE LOCAL 695 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
We met in March to celebrate Women’s History Month with coffee and conversation at Groundwork Coffee Co. in North Hollywood. We paused for a quick look at a traditional closing salutation, and how change is happening over time to reflect a more inclusive workplace.
RESOLUTION PASSED AT 2021 IATSE CONVENTION!
IATSE has officially changed “Fraternally” to “In Solidarity” in the closing of all official correspondence. In Solidarity resolution passed by unanimous vote of the Women’s Committee March 10, 2021 resolution supporting the use of “In Solidarity” by all IATSE members, Whereas, the Labor Movement grew out of workplace conditions during and after the Industrial Revolution, when the existing workforce was almost exclusively male, and Whereas, Unions emerged to represent those workers with a community of interest often referred to as a “brotherhood,” and Whereas, Unions throughout the movement adopted the formal closing for correspondence and other uses derived from the Latin word “frater” meaning brother, resulting in the terms “Fraternally” or “Fraternally Yours,” and Whereas, the membership of most Unions today reflects a far more diverse representation of the population beyond “brotherhood,” and Whereas, the IATSE Women’s Committee believes that a more inclusive term, In Solidarity, better expresses the community of interest existing in our Unions, now Therefore, be it resolved, that all International Officers, Staff, and Locals of the IATSE, in recognizing and honoring all members with a community of interest, refrain from the use of “Fraternally” and replace it with the term “In Solidarity” as reflected throughout today’s more inclusive Global Labor Movement.
Local 695 Supports Ukraine Safe & Sound
Ukraine Safe & Sound is an organization co-founded by Local 695 members and members of the sound community at large in support of our friends, family, and allies in Ukraine. The organization is raising money to provide life-saving walkie-talkies and satellite phones for medics, volunteers, and evacuation coordinators in the Ukraine. Local 695 recently made a $10,000 donation to support their efforts and encourages all members who are able to do so to chip in their support. For more information, please visit safeandsoundukraine.org.
NEW MEMBERS
Local 695 Welcomes its New Members
Erik Bender A2
Arthur “AJ” Williams A2
Tim Bolish Y-4
Luis Daniel Molina Y-1
Reynaldo Antonio Rodriguez Y-9
Eric LaCour Y-7A
Jonathan Lastra Y-1
Matt Larson Y-1
Eliana Alcouloumre Y-16A
Robert Spence Y-1
Evan Hare Y-16A
Xinyue (Jennifer) Nusbaum Y-7A
Eric Richardson Y-16A
DavidHernandez Y-16A
KyraWestman Y-7A
JoshuaMunoz Y-4
Jeremy Eisener Y-8
Ronnie Spang Projectionist
Taylor Haycraft Y-8
Fahad Salam Y-4
Sam Roberts Y-4
Nicolas Howard Y-13
Jose Ibarra Y-8
Transfer Member
Natasha Fagan (Local 488) on March 18, 2022
LATE & UNREPORTED MPI HOURS
The Local has received complaints of late and unreported MPI Plan hours. All members are encouraged to check their MPI Accounts through the MPI website. If any hours appear to be missing, you can call the support line at (818) 769-0007 ext. 2381 or email support at CPParticipantInquiries@mpiphp.com
In Memoriam
John Mack – Y-1
August 12, 1927 – December 24, 2021
Rocco Zappia Jr. – Y-9
May 20, 1948 – April 8, 2021
Arthur Golden – Y-8
April 2, 1926 – May 8, 2022
Joseph GeIsinger – Y-1
July 16, 1950 – March 15, 2022
Brent Brewington – Y-8
February 24, 1922 – February 24, 2022
Tribute to Joseph Geisinger CAS
In March we received the news that Joseph lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Todd Bassman
Joseph was a remarkable man in many ways and a top-level Production Mixer. He was the kind of guy that could teach you something without you ever knowing you had been taught. Because of his professional demeanor, empathy, and respect for others, if we needed help from another department to record a clean track, they were happy to assist us. We could be in our 16th hour at 5 a.m. on a Fraterday, and he would still have a positive attitude. I feel so fortunate that I got to spend the last twenty years of my career working with him. A kind, thoughtful, talented man that will be missed by all that knew him.
Raul Bruce
From a Boom Operator’s perspective, Joseph was no doubt the finest mixer I ever had the chance to work with. His knowledge, decency, and respect for the people who worked with him was unmatched.
Randy Johnson
Joe and I started out as boom men about the same time, in the ’70s. We frequently traded jobs back-and-forth. His dry wit always made me laugh. Toward the end of his booming career, I had a few days of a reshoot job to mix, and Joe was nice enough to boom for me.
I guess I must have pestered him too much about positions and mic placement, because he finally snapped back. “You can’t take the boom man out of the mixer, can you?!”
Joe went on to a stellar career as Production Mixer and I was lucky enough to have worked with him a bit along the way. My impression of Joe was that he always glided through life with a wry smile on his face. Kinda like the jazz he always loved to play. All wonderful improvisation.
Gigi Coello Bannon
Criminal Minds Co-Executive Producer
Joseph Geisinger was an incredible human being. He was our sound mixer who recorded our dialogue for Criminal Minds for all fifteen seasons!
He would often sit in my office to inform me about any sound challenges I should expect and then we would inevitably settle into deep, heartwarming, illuminating conversations about life, family, children, and health.
He was such a kind man, which you could tell right away by just looking into his eyes, even though he hid them by always sporting the COOLEST, most fashionable and hippest eyeglasses! He was one of those guys who was sweet to the core, honest, no BS, and very real. I don’t think there’s anyone he came into contact with who didn’t automatically like him. He had a great, dry sense of humor and would always bring a smile to anyone’s face!
He was also gentle and he stayed far away from confrontation of any kind because that was simply not for him. We had a very strong mutual admiration and respect for each other. I can’t believe you’re gone and you are sorely missed Joseph.
May you rest in peace in heaven surrounded by your angels.
Ed Moskowitz CAS
Joseph was the personification of the concept of mensch. Whether you knew him as a phenomenal guitar player or an accomplished Production Sound Mixer, once you met him and knew him, it was obvious he was a gentleman, good friend, and a loving and caring individual. I was fortunate to call him my friend for decades. His optimism and spirit will be missed.
Richard Lightstone CAS AMPS
Joseph was a fantastic musician, an incredible guitar player, he was a friend and colleague for thirty-four years. His feature credits include Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Beverly Hills Cop III, The Jungle Book (1994), Showgirls, Starship Troopers, Hollow Man, Spider-Man 2, where he received an Oscar nomination (2005). Joseph mixed all fifteen seasons of Criminal Minds.
He always had time for his friends and the people in his life; unflinching, he really listened, combined with his wry sense of humor, always ready to help—no matter what. Rest in peace, dear Joseph, you will be sadly missed.