Unions & Guilds

Question 1

What’s the difference between a union and a guild?

Answer 1

Unions focus on bargaining between workers and owners

Guilds primarily facilitate negotiations between their own members

Question 2

List some advantages to being in a union

Answer 2

medical benefits & pension plan

regulated hours/wages that include overtime

access to job opportunities via a database that has production dates in the region + producer contact info

networking through events

workshops/training seminars

More production safety and quality assurance

Question 3

What’s the most popular way to find work if you’re in technical department? I.e., audio, grip, etc.

Answer 3

Unions

Question 4

List 4 disadvantages to being in a union

Answer 4

High annual dues and initiation fees

Restrictions to work on non-union shows

High requirements to be accepted; references, an amount of set hours or jobs in certain period of time

Crew is known to be spotted with a few more lazy members

Question 5

Name 4 popular guilds/unions given my geography

Answer 5

IATSE

DGC - directors guild of canada/DGA (america)

WGC -writers guild of canada/WGA (america)

ACTRA