Most producers I know have their favorite teamster captains and are skilled at figuring out whose personality will mesh best with the particular needs of production. But the "teamster casting" process takes a new twist according to day's
Variety, which notes that 500 New York and L.A. casting directors are formally seeking to be represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
"The casting directors and associates cite lack of health care coverage, late pay and performing uncompensated work as key issues that have driven the organizing effort,"
Variety writes.
The
Variety article goes on to suggest that casting directors may be unhappy with their independent contractor status: "Currently, casting directors operate as independent contractors. Among the complaints: They're routinely hired for eight-week periods and then required to work two extra weeks without compensation, and they're forced to absorb such costs as office space, payroll taxes and worker's compensation insurance for their employees."
Of course, all the above applies to any small business owner, and most casting agencies are structured as small businesses, with all the negative but also positive tax and employment benefits that that designation implies.
I spoke to one casting director who pooh-poohed the effort, claiming that the rules being discussed would prevent casting agents from casting the small films that allow them to find new actors and boost their careers.
According to the article, casting directors are threatening to strike if they are not formally recognized as a bargaining unit. We'll keep you informed...
Comments (5)
I am Casting Associate who is strongly opposed to joining the Teamsters. The ever-increasing liklihood of belonging to such a thuggish group threatens the integrity (already so difficult to maintain) of the Casting profession as a whole.
Unfortuntely, for those in my position (not yet Casting Directors), we have no choice but to join. Standing up against the Teamsters would mean certain blacklisting (they are, after all, an appalingly Soviet-style organisation). Furthermore, accepting a position with a studio during a strike would mean being used temporarily only to be replaced when negotiations are eventually reached (and, consequently, prevented from ever joining a Casting Society).
My only hope is that the Studios will hold fast - they are the only bargaining tool I have.
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posted by @ 1/28/2005 4:33 PM
I don't know much about the Teamsters other than what's portrayed in the movies.
BUT, if this gets me health insurance, I am 100% for it.
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posted by @ 6/04/2005 12:26 AM
To the person that wishes not to be a Teamster, you can always go back to washing cars.
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posted by @ 12/29/2005 2:06 PM
Of course, the post by Mr. Marchetti is precisely what I was referring to. It's this attitude (you're with us or you're nothing) that the Teamsters take pride in which I find reprehensible. And they can't even hide it. I'm sure he's from New Jersey.
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posted by @ 11/13/2006 11:33 AM
too bad so sad for your feeling about teamsters, but let me be the first to advise ,you i retired with 37year of being a teamster and am damm proud ,of it and if it were for us older time standup men and women even the non union,wouldn/t stand a chance at the good life we/ve fought for .all things in life aren/t equal but surely we fought to try and keep up our middle class way of ,life .by not giving in to sub standard of those that want it all.
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posted by @ 11/11/2007 11:32 AM
