How the locals work
IATSE is organized as an international union with hundreds of locals. Some are craft locals with national or regional reach, and some are geographic "mixed" locals that cover several crafts in one city or state. For film crews, the ones people mention most are:
| Local | Who it represents |
|---|---|
| 600 | International Cinematographers Guild: camera crews, DITs, still photographers |
| 80 | Grips, craft service, marine, first aid, warehouse (Hollywood) |
| 728 | Studio electrical lighting technicians (Hollywood) |
| 700 | Motion Picture Editors Guild |
| 695 | Production sound |
| 800 | Art Directors Guild |
| 871 | Script supervisors, production coordinators, accountants, and allied crafts |
| 884 | Studio teachers |
Many cities outside Los Angeles and New York have a single local covering most crafts, so a grip and a set dresser in the same state may belong to the same local.
What changes on an IATSE show
The contract sets minimum rates by classification, overtime after a set number of hours, meal periods and penalties, rest periods between days, and pension and health contributions. Local 80's FAQ, for example, describes a ten-hour daily turnaround (nine for distant hires) and a 54-hour weekend rest after five consecutive days under the Basic Agreement. Check your specific agreement for your numbers, then use the turnaround calculator when you build call times.
Payroll runs through a payroll company that handles union fringes, and the production accountant reports hours and contributions to the plans.
Low-budget and tiered deals
Independent productions often sign IATSE's low-budget theatrical terms, where rates and some work rules are reduced based on budget tier. The IATSE low-budget agreement guide goes through how tiers affect crew rates and what doesn't change.
Mistakes to avoid
Treating the union as one rulebook. The Basic Agreement, the Area Standards Agreement, and each local's specific terms all matter. A 1st AD who learned turnaround rules on an LA series may be wrong about a show in New Mexico.
Confusing IATSE with the Teamsters. Drivers, location managers, and casting directors in Los Angeles are generally Teamsters Local 399, not IATSE. A production that negotiates with the IA and forgets transportation will hear about it on the first day of prep.