With cries of 'scab,' striking crew and supporters confront vehicles entering the production site

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/100-picketers-protest-replacement-workers-45422

12:47 PM 11/15/2010 by Jonathan Handel

The glare of television lights and powerful lighting brought in by picketers illuminated the scene until the sun came up.

The union and crew members are seeking a union contract, primarily in order to provide the 50-member crew with pension and health benefits. Mike Miller, an IATSE vice-president, called the lack of benefits “unbearable.”

A camera operator on the show, Rob Hache, commented that “the only chance at having pension and health benefits is to have a union.”

Based on formulas provided by the union, THR estimates the cost to the employer of providing benefits to be 12% to 22% of a worker’s wages, depending on the individual’s hourly minimum pay rate. It would be difficult to calculate an average without knowing the makeup of the crew.

By comparison, the comparable percentage for SAG and AFTRA is currently 15%, which will rise to 16.5% on July 1, assuming (as is almost certain) that the new tentative agreement reached with the studios is approved by the unions’ joint board and ratified by the membership.

FULL story at link.

[Scruffy1]

1. Thx steve- I see the unrec trolls are out

[Omaha Steve]

8. Yes they are

Thanks for yours though.

[blondeatlast]

2. I support the union (and brought the recs again to the plus side). nt

[Odin2005]

3. Fuck the scabs!

[NNN0LHI]

4. the only chance at having pension and health benefits is to have a union

Truer words have never been spoken.

Scabs screw everyone. Even themselves.

Don

[Brickbat]

5. There is nothing worse than a scab. Nothing.

Fuck the scabs! Solidarity!

[pleah]

6. K&R

[Omaha Steve]

7. Please keep this kicked through tonight

OS