A Guild
A GUILD was a medieval association of similar trade or craft. Shoemakers, Tinsmiths, artisans, etc. They associated to make standards of excellence and limited the people to join by requiring high standard tests. Being a guild member was a guarantee of quality to the Feudal Lords. With mass production the quality of the shoemaker was not a factor. Working at a machine, his “guild artisan status” disappeared and Feudal Lords became corporate.
Union’s were formed to protect and advance the status workers. The struggle for union recognition, for the 8 hour day was full of sacrifice and courage in the face of repression and violence.
We changed the name of our Union to a Guild. Our magazine, our literature, speak little about organizing, little about wages, safety, job security – nothing about oppressive greedy bosses or the meaning of the words, “it’s not in the budget.” We do have seminars to concentrate on all those things which may make us better technicians, more desirable craftsmen for the corporations who are now the Feudal Masters.
Our Guild offers up members at varying prices and conditions depending on what the corporations (large and small) say they can pay or are willing to pay.
The Guild does not, and cannot, guarantee excellence or competence. We serve as a convenience for employers, giving them access to a cohesive labor pool. High budget pictures will buy into the Guild to avoid the expensive disruption of a picket line. They buy the contract as nuisance protection.
Competent workers are available all over the world and pour out of film schools at 100,000 per year. On graduating they work non-union, make their friends and work contacts in the non-union world.
A high level of professional competence is not producers primary concern. Particularly now with “we fix it in post.” On set controls of density, color and framing diminishes the necessity of Guild member professionalism.
A Union, a “Trade Union,” is an alliance, an organized association to further common interests. Traditionally our common interest is for better working conditions, better wages, better safety, job security and an opportunity to have work that enables us to enjoy family, friends and quality of life.
Who are we Local 600 I.A.T.S.E.?
Where do we fit?
Where are we headed?
Who runs the show?
How do we measure progress?
What definition, Guild or Union? How our leadership has performed on the subject of “Hazardous to Your Life” may well reveal in the clearest way many complicated questions. Guild or Union not just words but a critical concept.