
Issue No 113		28 September 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Organising

STAA Performers

By Jessica Barton

Film industry workers are acting collectively to ensure they don't become Mexicans with Mobiles.

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Since April 2001, STAA has been focusing on its main goal for this year, renegotiating the Motion Picture Production Agreement (MPPA), which expires at the end of the year.

On the 29th July, STAA organised for all crew in NSW to congregate and voice their opinions concerning any issues relating to unsatisfactory working conditions. These important issues were to be considered ahead of the negotiations for the new agreement.

Following great success the meeting raised many important issues concerning inadequate working conditions endured by staff and crew. This meeting was crucial for giving insight into the issues that need to be addressed in the upcoming negotiations.

One of the most critical issues debated at the meeting was the use, or non-use, of the standard MPPA contract. Many contracts are breeching standard industry agreements by undermining its rates of pay and conditions. A greater awareness amongst crew of the existence of the STAA contract, and then the willingness to use it, needs to be increased. It was revealed that where the standard contract is not being implemented, crew are not only undermining themselves but the industry as a whole.

The debate exposed a concerning problem for the industry. The TV series, Crash Palace, which was produced at Fox Studios had employed staff to work under unfair contracts. Crew members were required to work for a rate that was "inclusive of any and all overtime." This of course breeches the terms of agreement as it fails provide employees with overtime penalty rates in which they are entitled to.

Eventuating from a STAA steering committee meeting on the 5th September was a proposal to Fox Studios raising the problematic and unsatisfactory working conditions being imposed. It sought to assure that all future Fox productions use the standard MPPA contracts.

In response to this Fox guaranteed to "ensure that contracts for subsequent productions will comply with the terms of the agreement."

In the STAA News spring edition, Sound Editor and NSW Branch Vice President Jenny Ward expressed similar concerns over insufficient and unstable working conditions. She alleged that time dedicated to the projects had been sacrificed for the fixing of equipment and software. The working conditions in post production also shows to be unstable and understaffed. There is an overwhelming concern for the "lack of respect for the craft and for those who work in the area."

On the 25th July, Sound Editors from various states drew up a standard contract. Its premise was to implement structure and "formalise" the working conditions and at the same time provide stability for staff if things go wrong.

The MEAA is now drafting this contract in an effort to enforce new contractual agreements between employers and their production crew.

"We need the MEAA because they have the right skills, diplomacy and resources," says Jenny Ward.

Another ongoing issue is the loss of jobs for make-up artists during mass movie productions in Australia. With the Matrix 2 and 3 being filmed in Australia it is assumed that the employment opportunities for Australian make-up artists would increase. In STAA News' spring edition, Delegate to the Federal Council Nikki Gooley writes about the weakening job opportunities for Australian make-up artists during the Matrix production.

Overseas make-up artists have been offered heads of department positions contravening the original understanding between MEAA and The Matrix, and denying the opportunity for equally skilled Australian artists. In response to this many Australian make-up artists have decided to boycott the production. The number of make-up artists becoming members of the MEAA is growing, which is a good sign for the industry and the action against this stand.

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  Issue 113 contents

Interview: The Custodian
Labor's arts spokesman Bob McMullan on the role government can play in nurturing national culture.

Media: Chucking a Wobbly
Veronica Apap meets Dan Buhagiar, the programmer of Labor Council's new online initiative, Wobbly Radio.

E-Change: 3.3 Unleashing a Networked Culture
Politics does not occur in a vacuum - it's is as much a product of its culture as it is an influence on it. In the post-Industrial Age how will this relationship change?

Unions: Are You a Terrorist?
Away from the talkback noise, Mark Hearn reports on how a Sydney workforce is taking up the cause of racial understanding and tolerance.

Organising: STAA Performers
Film industry workers are acting collectively to ensure they don't become Mexicans with Mobiles.

Workplace: Making Art Work
The Workers Cultural Action Committee is a community cultural development provider. What is this? And what does it mean for the union movement?

History: Creative Alliances
Neale Towart wanders through the archives to look at how unions' have worked with artists to promote progressive casuses.

Performance: Tales from the Shop Floor
Peter Murphy profiles Sydney's New Theatre and the role it has played in fostering working culture.

Review: Homegroan
In an extract from her new book, The Money Shot, Jane Mills argues that the local film industry needs more than patriotism to get bums on seats.

Satire: PM Pleads To Nauru: Take Our Aborigines Too
In the wake of Nauru�s acceptance of the Tampa refugees, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has struck a new deal with the small island nation to take our Aborigines as well.

» Abbott Stacks Commission on Election Eve

» Trades Hall to Be Fit for the Arts

» Olympic Builders Honoured in Oil

» Terror Shockwaves Hit Security Workers

» The Ansett Phoenix Rises

» 'The General' Makes Ansett Stand

» One Dollar Workforce Highlights Workcover Concerns

» Email Workers Saved

» Union Power Gets Tilers Paid In Full

» NSW Nurses (Pro)Claim Their Worth

» AOL Sheds Non-Union Staff

» Building Inquiry Faces First Test of Integrity

» Telstra Guilty Over Union Discrimination

» Paint Workers Finish the Job

» New Project Agreement A Template

» The Workers United, Need a New Slogan!

» Activists Notebook