The International Cine-matographers Guild has issued a new “anti-discrimination and harassment-free workplace” policy that Local 600’s executive board approved at its semi-annual meeting held on January 8 and 9. “Local 600’s board members made it very clear that they will not tolerate any form of unlawful harassment,” said Gary Dunham, president of Local 600.The policy was promulgated, said ICG business rep Michael Ford, to follow a suggestion by the International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees that member unions issue a statement along the lines of IATSE policy.“The IATSE is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of legally protected status,” IATSE’s policy states.The approval of the policy statement by the ICG executive board “had nothing to do,” said Ford, with the decision by the members of the ICG staff to form their own union under the auspices of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, which became official in December.Nor, he said, was it connected to a report in the December issue of Below The Line that some staff had been subject to “abusive behavior” by union officials, a charge that Local 600 execs dispute.Local 600 set up a diversity committee in June 2004, soon after Gary Dunham took over as ICG president. “The union wanted to make a solid expression in favor of diversity and non-bias hiring,” said biz rep Ford, who as a staff member belongs to the new OPEIU union.Conduct that is prohibited under the policy includes “all unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual,” that is based upon a person’s race, sex, religion or other protected group status. The policy emphasizes that sexual harassment is a form of employment discrimination that deserves special mention.The IATSE’s official policy was spelled out in the Fourth Quarter 2004 issue of the IATSE Official Bulletin.Furthermore, the IATSE is urging members and represented employees to notify James B. Wood, IATSE General Secretary-Treasurer, of any incidents of unlawful discrimination or harassment. “The General Secretary-Treasurer will immediately request the General Counsel to undertake a thorough and objective investigation of harassment/discrimination allegations,” the IATSE has said.
Written by Jack Egan
