What is the IATSE and Why Does it Matter?

The accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of western film Rust prompted a media frenzy, with many speculating on exactly what happened and who was at fault. Much of the news focused on star Alec Baldwin, who discharged the prop gun that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Due to the involvement of a major celebrity, there has been a sensationalistic quality to the coverage of the tragedy, with news outlets and social media users rushing to blame or defend Baldwin for the shooting. 

But buried under the blame-shifting and speculation is a basic truth: the handling of the set and the treatment of crew members created an unsafe and irresponsible working environment. As specifics of the incident continue to be revealed, it becomes increasingly clear that important corners were cut to save money and speed up production. These revelations have placed a spotlight on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE. But what is IATSE, and why is it so important when it comes to film industry safety?

IATSE is a large trade union that represents artists in the film, television, and theater industries. Formed in 1983, IATSE has become one of the most important unions in the entertainment industry. Earlier this year, tensions emerged between IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (the AMPTP). The IATSE has been negotiating for better pay and improved work conditions, such as guaranteed food breaks and shorter working days.

Two different agreements are being negotiated. The Basic Agreement covers union members in Los Angeles, while the Area Standards Agreement covers members outside of Los Angeles. On October 16, IATSE and the AMPTP reached a tentative Basic Standards Agreement that ensured better turnaround times between shifts and a 3 percent wage increase every year for the next three years. A tentative Area Standards Agreement was then reached that included improved rest breaks and a 60 percent hourly minimum pay increase for low-wage workers. Still, many IATSE have expressed dissatisfaction with the tentative agreements, saying that the agreements don’t do enough to improve conditions.

The outcome of these negotiations feels especially important after the Rust shooting. The film crew are often overworked, which can lead to mistakes being made and safety protocols being violated. The death of Halyna Hutchins is a tragic example. 

Even before the shooting accident, Rust crew members were concerned about overproducers who devalued the crew and created poor working conditions. One crew member complained that producers would not secure a proper hotel for the crew and that many crew members were worried about having to drive while being exhausted. After unionized crew members protested the conditions on set, they were replaced by non-union workers by the film’s producers. Hutchins, an IATSE member, had planned to strike along with her fellow union members before her death. 

It’s tempting to seek out an individual scapegoat for the shooting, especially since a movie star was directly involved. However, a film set is a cooperative effort, and there’s always a risk of tragedy when the correct precautions aren’t taken. Like all laborers, the film crew are frequently exploited and placed in dangerous positions. This is especially true of stunt performers, who have been injured and killed without the media attention that the Rust shooting has received. Actress Ruby Rose recently called out the CW’s Batwoman, citing an unprofessional and unsafe set as the reason she left the show. 

Details surrounding the Rust incident are still being revealed, and the negotiations between IATSE and the AMPTP will likely continue despite the new tentative agreement. What’s clear is that many workers feel that the only way to prevent this kind of tragedy is to deal with safety concerns on a structural level. While COVID has changed how many view safety in the workplace, the need for workers to fight for humane working conditions has continued just the same.