On Monday, the IATSE’s General Executive Board voted unanimously to extend its endorsement to Former Vice President Joe Biden for President of the United States. Biden has an extensive record and history of fighting for workers’ rights and working families, and he also expresses concern about the welfare of behind-the-scenes entertainment workers.
Recently, the Biden campaign hosted an unemployment town hall on how COVID-19 is specifically impacting entertainment workers. Members of Local 764 and Local One were invited to share their experiences during this pandemic and pose questions on how Joe Biden will address the challenges that those working in the entertainment industry will continue to face as they seek to recover from this unprecedented health crisis.
Biden’s campaign has also engaged the IATSE and working people in the development of the Biden Plan for Strengthening Worker Organizing, Collective Bargaining, and Unions – the only remaining candidate to reach out on such an effort.
If elected, Biden has pledged to sign the Protecting the Right to Organize Act into law, champion legislation banning “right to work” laws, appoint members to the National Labor Relations Board who will protect workers, increase workplace safety and health, and ensure freelance entertainment workers receive the legal benefits and protections they deserve by making it harder for employers to misclassify workers as independent contractors.
For more information please visit www.iatse.net.