Cinematographers Guild Establishes Hardship Fund For Members Impacted By WGA Strike

deadline.com:

The International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600, has created a Work Slowdown Hardship Fund for members in need of financial assistance because of the ongoing Writers Guild strike, which is now in its 59th day.

Money will also be distributed from the fund if SAG-AFTRA goes on strike. Local 600 offered similar financial support to its membership at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new fund allocates $250,000 – with an option to increase it to $500,000 – to provide grants of up to $1,000 to individual members of Local 600 in good standing who are in financial need due to work lost or delayed by any entertainment industry labor actions in 2023, including the ongoing WGA strike.

The guild’s National Executive Board also approved two other motions designed to provide economic relief to members affected by entertainment industry labor disputes, including a dues opt-out option for the fourth quarter of 2023, and deferring the collection of initiation, delinquency and any other installment plans through September 2023. “The guild’s board has the honor and responsibility to lead our members through this work slowdown, as we did during the pandemic,” said Local 600 National President Baird B.