Dejon Ellis Jr. Wins Close Vote to Lead IATSE Local 80
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media WriterDejon Ellis, Jr., won a close vote on Sunday to take over as interim leader of IATSE Local 80, in an election marked by lingering hard feelings over last year’s contract negotiations.Local 80 represents about 3,800 grips, as well as craft service workers and set medics.
In November, the local voted resoundingly against the new IATSE contract, which covers 13 locals on the West Coast, and which was narrowly ratified.
Many within the local argued that the lead IATSE negotiators had not taken a hard enough line, failing to win sufficient concessions on pay and working hours.Thom Davis, a top-ranking IATSE official who had led the local since 1998, was a strong supporter of the agreement.
He was up for re-election in March and would likely have faced stiff competition. He announced in December that he would retire at the end of the year.
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