Dear 161 Leadership,

We, the undersigned, believe in union. We believe that our interests as accountants are best protected when united under the shield of IATSE. We appreciate all the recent efforts by 161 to challenge the studios on the nonaffiliate contract and gain representation for our department in the Majors contract. However, the current membership rules and dues structure at 161 is weakening our cause and punishes accountants who do want to rally behind 161 and its efforts.

Most jobs are nonaffiliate. Even if an accountant wanted to only work 161 jobs, it's nearly impossible. The major studios all force us to work nonaffiliate which generally means no protection, no overtime, no idle pay, less pension, health and welfare, and no 401k availability. As the demands of our jobs increase with complicated tax incentive coding, Affordable Care paperwork requirements, and the multitude of human resource and administrative requirements of our employers, we are finding ourselves more and more wanting to unite for protection from abusive overtime and to demand fair staffing practices. More and more accountants are starting to wonder if flocking to 161 is the answer. However, there are few financial advantages to joining 161 and this fact is preventing accountants from seeking membership and weakens our collaborative efforts.

Currently, the due structure at 161 requires that all members pay dues quarterly despite employment status and despite if they are working on a 161 project or not. A 161 member can easily go years of only doing nonaffiliate jobs (if they want to or not) and yet 161 insists that we pay our full dues. We are given the option of dropping out but this only means that we have to pay all the back dues and a hefty initiation fee if we want to return. Hardly an incentive for new members to join if they can work nonaffiliate and pay no dues at all.

We ask that 161 re-examine this policy to be more inclusive of accountants and our special interests. Unlike script supervisors and office coordinators who are always 161, we do not have that luxury and should not be subject to the same polices and dues structure.

Our ultimate goal is to have all accountants united with full representation under IATSE. It is only when we band together that we have the strength and influence to protect our collective interests. However, we need 161 to be more accommodating. It is only when membership in the union seems like a benefit and not a hindrance that the our combined efforts can have an effect and we can accomplish any of our goals.

Thank you.