As a seasoned gamer of both virtual and real-life worlds, I’ve witnessed countless transitions, but few as inspiring as the one unfolding at the Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG). The promotion of Scott George to National Executive Director is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering commitment to unionism.
As a gamer, I’ve just heard that a fresh face is taking over the helm from Cathy Repola, our outgoing national executive director at the Motion Picture Editors Guild. It’s an exciting time for all of us as we welcome this new leader to our gaming community!
On Wednesday evening, the board of directors of IATSE Local decided to elevate Scott George, a current staff member, to the position of national executive director. At present, George holds the title of Western executive director for the postproduction-focused labor union, a role he’s held since 2010 and has served in for eight years as part of the Editors Guild.
Repola declared in August her intention to retire on January 31st, marking the end of her tenure as a guiding force for IATSE’s second-largest local union, which boasts around 8,500 active members, since 2016.
In light of the fast-paced evolution of our industry, unionism is increasingly crucial to safeguard the rights of workers, as stated by MPEG president Alan Heim, ACE. The transition from Cathy to Scott signifies robust and enduring leadership within the Guild for future years.
As a dedicated fan, I embarked on my journey in Tinseltown, starting as a worker in a film lab under IATSE Local 683. Being the third generation of union members, I carried on a rich legacy. Before climbing the ranks, I served as a shop steward at CFI film laboratory. As movie theaters transitioned from analog to digital projection, I seized the opportunity to become the business representative for IATSE Local 683. In 2010, an exciting fusion occurred between Local 683 and MPEG, and I was fortunate enough to join their dedicated staff. Then, in 2016, I stepped into the Western executive director role that Repola had vacated upon her promotion to national executive director.
For several years, Repola has been George’s mentor. She stated, “Being the National Executive Director of Local 700 has been the highlight of my career, and I am incredibly happy to be passing the leadership role onto Scott, who I have both mentored and collaborated with for a long time. Scott is deeply invested in the labor movement, just as I am.
George is taking the reins at a punishing moment for Hollywood labor as major entertainment companies continue to cut costs and U.S. production levels remain anemic. In his own remarks, George highlighted these roadblocks. “I am both humbled and honored to lead the Local as we tackle the unparalleled challenges currently facing our membership, such as the contraction of work opportunities and emerging technology.” Still, he added, “I look forward to working with the Board, the membership, and our staff to further strengthen our unwavering unity and define our continued growth as an organization.”
This year, MPEG concluded its own triennial agreement with Hollywood studios and streaming platforms regarding local matters, and also assisted in negotiating the IATSE Basic Agreement. The union, IATES, represents various post-production workers such as sound editors, mixers, picture editors, colorists, Foley artists, and others. They engage in collective bargaining with major entertainment companies over wages and working conditions.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-21 22:25