America’s Educators, Nurses and Public Employees Stand with IATSE

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in support of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in its overwhelming vote to authorize a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers:

“Every person who gets up and goes to work every day—whether it’s on a TV lot or a movie set, in a classroom, or at a hospital—deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. That means being paid a decent, family-sustaining wage; feeling safe and protected on the job; and being subject to humane work hours and scheduling practices. These 60,000 members of IATSE, representing 36 locals around the country, are the glue that holds our entertainment industry together—they are cinematographers, editors, makeup artists, food workers and other crew—and it’s time the AMPTP agrees to the basic workplace standards we expect of any employer, regardless of industry.

“The 1.7 million members of the AFT stand in full solidarity with our IATSE family. Together, our collective voices will help us accomplish what is impossible to do alone.”