1. Healthcare

the eightynews
Digest
Deadline Approaching
for Safety Pass Class:
The Camera Car Class
deadline is approaching.
Grips have to finish the
class by the end of January
Floor Election: Floor
election for Executive
Board Member will be
held at the February
General Membership
Meeting, Feb 1, 10:00 a.m.
the eighty news
January 2015
Issue 231
IATSE Local 80
2520 W Olive Ave
Burbank, Ca 91505
818-526-0700
800-994-1080
818-526-0719 fax
[email protected]
Editor:
Kent H. Jorgensen
Web site:
www.iatselocal80.org
Bob Babin Elected Vice President;
Floor Election Set for February Meeting
At the December meeting, Brother Bob Babin was elected Vice President after Brother
Victor Morrell stepped down. This left a vacancy on the Executive Board. To fill the position
by Babin’s election, there will be a floor election at the February General Membership Meeting
on February first. All members in good standing in attendance at the meeting will vote for their
representative to the board.
Safety Pass Camera Car Class Deadline January 31
Grips should have received a letter from Contract Services reminding them about the
Insert Car Class. The deadline for this class is January 31. The following is a portion of that
letter:
Promoting workplace safety for the benefit of all industry professionals is a critical priority
of the motion picture and television industry. For this reason, industry unions and producers
have instituted the Safety Pass training program in order to provide convenient access to safety
training.
We are sending you this letter as a reminder that January 31, 2015 is the safety training
deadline for your Roster classification’s “B5” - Traditional Insert Car Safety requirement.
Accordingly, you have approximately 30 days to complete your required safety training.
Individuals who do not complete the safety training required for their job classification will
be suspended from the Industry Experience Roster (IER) and may be considered ineligible for
employment. Individuals who are suspended from the Roster (IER) reflect on the Online
Roster (www.csatf.org) with a red background. The legend on the Online Roster defines the
red background as: “Not in compliance with Safety Pass training requirements; suspended from
Industry Experience Roster; therefore, not safety-trained for employment in California or to be
hired in California and transported out of California.”
What Do I Need to Do?: Individuals in your job classification must complete the required
course by January 31, 2015.
Register Now!: Advance registration for all courses is highly recommended, but walk-ins
are accepted on a space-available basis. Admission to training areas is limited to those
individuals enrolled in Safety Pass training. Individuals who are more than five (5) minutes late
reporting for safety training will be asked to reschedule, and will not be admitted to training
areas. There are several ways to register for training:
• Register Online: Register at www.csatf.org. Click on Safety Pass Online Services, select
Safety Pass Program Schedule of Classes and choose your classes and enroll.
• Register by Mail or Fax: Complete the training application form and mail or fax it to the
Safety Pass program office. Our fax number is 818.847.0070. Our address is 2800 Winona
Avenue, Burbank, CA 91504.
• Register by Phone or in Person: Call us at 818.847.0040, extension 1200 or complete the
training application form and bring it to the Safety Pass program office at 2800 Winona
Avenue, Burbank, CA 91504.
If you’d like to update your Form I-9 when you come for your safety training, you can!
Simply bring your original, unexpired documents...
January 2015
the eightynews
Calendar
Jan 18, 9:00 am: Executive Board
Meeting
Jan 31: Safety Pass “B5”, Traditional
Insert Car Safety Course Deadline
Feb 1, 10:00 am: General
Membership Meeting
Feb 8, 9:00 am: Executive Board
Meeting
Feb 16: Presidents’ Day Holiday
(offices closed)
Mar 1, 10:00 am: General
Membership Meeting
In Memoriam:
Don Whipple Sr.:
Born: 04/21/29
Kenneth P. Weatherwax: Born: 09/29/55
Larry W. Hollister:
Born: 10/04/35
Brian K. Stuart:
Born: 12/13/67
Obligated: 01/04/65
Obligated: 10/12/79
Obligated: 11/02/74
Obligated: 05/07/08
Died: 11/15/14
Died: 12/07/14
Died: 12/07/14
Died: 10/05/14
Members’ names are not announced in this space until the receipt of official notification of death.
Official notification generally means an original death certificate or a report from the Motion
Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans.
2nd Quarter Dues are Due March 31
2
Iatselocal80.org
the eightynews
Issue 231
Deats Receives 50 Year Pin. Brother Jerry Deats holds up his 50 year pin for his time as an
IATSE Local 80 member. The pin was presented to Jerry by Russ Nordstedt and Thom Davis at the
December meeting. Photo by Chester Wong.
Iatselocal80.org
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January 2015
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the eightynews
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the eightynews
Issue 231
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January 2015
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the eightynews
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the eightynews
Issue 231
From the Desk of the Secretary-Treasurer
If your dues for the first quarter of 2015 have not
are using, awareness of the hazards present in your
already been paid, be sure to pay them before you workplace, awareness of the limits of your training,
begin working in 2015; there is no fine for being less and, perhaps most important of all, awareness of your
than one quarter behind on your dues, but there is a own physical and mental limits.
$25.00 fine for working without your dues current.
The most serious hazard that faces most workers
in the motion picture industry seems to be the one that
With mortgage rates still at historical lows, the is the most frequently overlooked or deliberately
Local has been getting a lot of calls and faxes from ignored: fatigue.
lenders who are trying to verify the employment or
In the atmosphere of artificial urgency that seems
income of members, or even of former members, who
to
virtually
define our industry and set it apart from
are trying to refinance at reduced rates.
others, serious fatigue is so common that many of us
In most cases this goes very smoothly, but it simply shut off our awareness of it so that we can
definitely has the potential to become a major problem continue to work. The problem with that approach is
for the member who is being checked on if the caller that ignoring your fatigue doesn’t reduce the effects
thinks that Local 80 is that member’s actual employer, that it has on your reflexes or your mental acuity.
and is almost certainly going to become a major
Fatigue can be every bit as incapacitating as being
problem for any former member who has become
drunk
or drugged, and can sneak up on you far more
suspended or dropped from membership.
easily; at least you know if you have been drinking
If you are considering applying for a loan, or you alcohol or using other drugs. If you don’t make a
are planning to move into a new apartment or rental conscious attempt to monitor your own state of fatigue,
house, and intend to use Local 80 as a reference, it is though, it can take you completely unawares.
important that you call the Local’s accounting office
And, of course, at the same time that your
ahead of time to confirm that your dues really are
current. There are very few things that a potential increasing fatigue level is making every job you do
lender or landlord wants to hear less than that you more dangerous, everyone around you is experiencing
haven’t met your already existing financial obligations. the thing, making all of you more dangerous to work
with or around. Does every accident in our business
Once you have verified that your dues are current, somehow involve fatigue? Of course not, but enough
make sure it is quite clear to the potential lender or do to push fatigue right to top of the list of things that
landlord before they call here that you are a member of you need to watch out for.
Local 80, not Local 80’s employee.
In addition to the physical pain and suffering that
Make sure that they understand that Local 80 is
they
went through, the Local 80 members forced to file
not able to verify either your employment or your
for
State
Disability or Workers Compensation over the
income, but can only vouch that you pay your dues on
last
year
each suffered a substantial loss of income.
time (if, in fact, you actually do so,) and that you have
been a member since the initiation date that is printed Even those members who were only off for a week or
two lost money that most probably really couldn’t
on the back of your union card.
easily afford (and which, it seems safe to assume, they
The rate of members being reported to be on would have much preferred to use for something else.)
Disability or Workers Compensation in 2014 stayed
For those who were unable to return to return to
just below one member per week.
work for longer periods (or at all, in some cases,) the
All but a few of the members involved were prolonged loss of income was far worse; a few have
injured; all but a few of them injured at work. That is reported that they are facing, or have already been
an improvement over the rate of injury that we have forced to file for, bankruptcy.
seen in the past, but is still far higher than it should be.
Nearly all say that they wish that they had been
The most critical factor in working safely is more serious about saving against the emergency that
awareness. Awareness of what is going on around you, they never really believed would come until it did.
awareness of the hazards posed by the equipment you
Iatselocal80.org
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January 2015
the eightynews
Members Dropped From Membership
As of December 19, 2014
Article XV Section VIII
“Any member three months in arrears for dues shall be dropped”. Per Article XV Section VIII of the Local 80
Constitution and Bylaws the following have been suspended from membership
Abad, Alex A.
Aldridge, James
Anderson, Trent G.
Andrea, Neil
Apey, Carlos
Atkins, James M.
Ballard, James M.
Banket, Doris
Barron II, Paul F.
Barry, John
Baty, Scott J.
Bennett, Bonnie E.
Bergschneider, Eugene A.
Berman, Andrew A.
Besnelian, Levon
Betz, Klint M.
Bilger, Raymond E.
Black, Tracy V.
Booten, Gary
Brazen, Daniel W.
Buchakjian, Christopher
Burtness, Richard A.
Byers, John C.
Campbell III, David D.
Cannon, Cindy L.
Cano, Richard
Cetino Madrid, Jesus N.
Chavez, Sherryl
Clarke, Kenneth H.
Clothier, Daniel H.
Corliss, Terence L.
Costello Jr, Maurice J.
Cottengim Jr, Kenneth L.
Cox, Rose
Cruz, Jose F.
Cruz, Michael J.
Cummings, Jennifer
Curt, Dana J.
Cuttriss, David J.
Deats, Richard D.
Deise, Kyle
Diaz, Ricardo
Dorado, Carlos A.
Douglas, Michael S.
Dow, Ian V.
Downing, James E.
Dudley, Robert
Dumas, Tom E.
Eckert, Garth T.
Eckert, William R.
Eddy, Ryan
Elliott, Jason C.
Evans, Jay R.
Everly, Vincent G.
Franchot, Abram
Garcia Jr, David
Gomez, Darcy L.
Gonzales, Tim
Greenlea, Rob J.
Guerrero, Steven
Gulbin, Michael
Gurwich, Craig M.
Hairston-Hunter, Tamiko H.
Hemmerick, Stephen J.
Henri, Kenneth
Herget, John W.
Herrera, Rene
Herrman, Timothy B.
Hill, Joseph L.
Holliday, S. T.
Hughes, Justin D.
Jedrzejczyk, Thomas R.
Johnson, Julie M.
Johnson, Robert T.
Jones, Brent L.
Josephsen, Benjamin M.
Keever, Idilia D.
King, Josh
Kral, Alexander J.
Kramer, Brett
Lacy, Shawn P.
Laird, Shaun P.
Lawrence, Paul J.
Lipman, James W.
Llorens, Axel J.
Mahler, Mary L.
Manzo, Juan
McGillicuddy, Eamon
McGivern, Patricia
McGuire, Michael S.
McKinney, Matthew J.
Medina, Leslie A.
Mejia, Desiree
Mercurio, Justin J.
Merrill, David L.
Merrill, William D.
Messersmith, Jason
Migel, Ezra
Milam, Jake L.
Milewsky, Jeffrey A.
Miliotti, Patricia A.
Miller, Jeffery W.
Mills, Kevin D.
Misner, Dan
Morales, David A.
O'kelly, Kevin
Olazabal, Catherine
Orozco, Jesse R.
Oseguera, Anthony J.
Palomino, Vincent M.
Pamula, Jeffrey S.
Papineau, Matt V.
Pavicic, Ashley M.
Perez, Gilbert
Pickett, Keith C.
Plante, John J.
Plummer, Jason
Porter, Shelli R.
Portugal IIi, Lionel T.
Poteet, Jason C.
Quay, Jean E.
Radcliff, Willie
Reid, Randel R.
Renteria, Flumencio
Reyes, Rodrigo E.
Rivera, Cecilia
Roman Jr, Alberto
Romanelli, Michael C.
Rosales, Raul A.
Roslan, Carrie L.
Ruffner, Justin M.
Rystrom, Joseph
Sanchez, Debbie
Sanchez Jr, Juan E.
Santoyo, Kirkland F.
Saunders, Rodd A.
Schwartz, Bryan A.
Shepard, Daniel
Sherif, Omari
Shinneman, Chad
Shoemaker, Samuel J.
Shryock, Stacey L.
Siman-Wetherby, Virginia M.
Simms, Preston
Simpson, Peter B.
Smith, Mark R.
Snow, McLane
Stapleton, William C.
Starks, Michael D.
Steward, George
Stone, Shawn K.
Taylor, Adam D.
Teigland, Gael W.
Tewksbury, Jesse J.
Toledo, Joseph M.
Toler II, Robert G.
Trejo, Franciss F.
Van Auken, Dana
Van Es, George
Vanselow, Mark
Varela, Greg S.
Velasquez, Ruben
Verdugo, Phillip N.
Viveros, Benjamin
Walser, Jason W.
Webb, Daniel W.
Weed, Richard
Wehr, Gregory L.
Wells, Roberta
Wilhelm, Lore I.
Wong, Patrick R.
Woods, Richard S.
Wright, John C.
Wright, John K.
Wyatt, Charles R.
To Key Grips: The Key Grip is responsible for determining that no members of his/her crew is in violation of Article XV
Section VI of the Local 80 Constitution and may be charged with such responsibility before the Local 80 Executive Board
should violations be found under Article 1 Section 1 of Local 80’s Bylaws.
NOTICE OF DUES INCREASES FOR 2015
In compliance with Article 19 Section 14 of the IATSE Constitution and Bylaws, dues for Plan #3 Retirees will
increase to $56.00 per quarter commencing with the first quarter of 2015.
Hardship dues for Active members will also increase to $56.00 per quarter commencing with the first quarter of
2015.
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Iatselocal80.org
the eightynews
Issue 231
Members Suspended From Membership
As of December 19, 2014
Article XV Section VI
“Any member three months in arrears for dues shall be suspended”. Per Article XV Section VI of the Local 80
Constitution and Bylaws the following have been suspended from membership.
Alexander II, Richard C.
Ammon, Jeremy R.
Andersen, Danny M.
Barraza, Eduardo
Bauman, Edward V.
Beaird, Billy M.
Bemiller, Kayla J.
Bishop, Noah
Bradley, Ryan
Brown, Charles D.
Burke, Garfield E.
Burruss, Thomas R.
Bushek, Joshua
Byrd, Michael P.
Caputo, Pasquale
Chuc, Mauricio G.
Courtright, Daniel R.
Craven, Curtis D.
Crickard, Tim
Del Castillo, Bruce
Dewitt, Jared
Donaldson, Eric A.
Donoho, David W.
Douglass, Sean M.
Drevlo, Kyle R.
Eades, Scott T.
Ealy, James L.
Ernst, Joseph R.
Fields, Rodney
Figueroa, Salvador
Foster, Michael C.
Franks, Dwayne
George, Anthony
Gilliam, Mark
Gordon, Christian L.
Greene, Thomas
Griffin, Sonny L.
Gutierrez, Hector
Hairston, Ronald
Handley, James F.
Harmon II, John W.
Harvey, Barry
Hatchitt, Bryan D.
Heller, Sherry
Henri, Douglas
Hernandez, Dinora
Hernandez, Miguel
Hernandez, Robert G.
Hobson, William
Hoffman, Michelle L.
Hopkins, Kristen
Huynh, Trung M.
Isman, Louis
James, Stephen K.
Johnson, Scott J.
Kerr, Michael S.
Kerry, Eugene B.
Khalfani, Tamu
Kitto, Joel R.
Koskas, Didier
Kraft, Joseph R.
Lammi, John
Landreville, Cordell C.
Louzon, Gary P.
Marangakis, Jean-Pierre
Martin, John T.
Martin, Johnathon R.
McCulloch, Byron S.
Mehen, Sean C.
Mendez, Sergio
Metz, Ken
Migdol, Philip S.
Miliotti, Steve M.
Miliotti III, Stephen M.
Montellano, Randy
Mulock, Mark J.
Napoli, Bob R.
Niketic, Danica A.
Page, Barbara J.
Palmer, Charles M.
Portugal, Windi
Powers, Derrell
Preston, Gregg
Ramirez, Andre
Rasika, Chephren
Rathje, Peter K.
Rhorer, Rex A.
Riggins Sr, Damon L.
Riley, Craig S.
Robbins, Dale
Rodriguez, Juan C.
Sanchez, Lisa
Sandoval, Brandon A.
Sandoval, Isaac
Sheffield, George
Shepherd, Alec M.
Sheppard, Susan A.
Shinneman, Sean
Simpson, Van J.
Sinclair, Christopher H.
Smith, Brent A.
Smith, James A.
Smith, Randy
Stotesbery, S. D.
Taylor, Austin D.
Thiensuwana, Vichanant
Torres, Michael A.
Valenzuela, Douglas
Vouniozos, Emmanuel
Wade, Glenn N.
Ward, Ryan
Warren, Patrick K.
Wessels, Jeffrey R.
White, Kimberly L.
Wiggins, Jonathan D.
Wright, Joseph D.
To Key Grips: The Key Grip is responsible for determining that no members of his/her crew is in violation of Article XV
Section VI of the Local 80 Constitution and may be charged with such responsibility before the Local 80 Executive Board
should violations be found under Article 1 Section 1 of Local 80’s Bylaws.
SPECIAL ELECTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015
Nominations and a secret ballot special election to fill the vacant office of Executive Board Member will
be held at the next regularly scheduled General Meeting,
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015
The Brother or Sister elected by the members in good standing at the General Meeting on SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 1, 2015, shall hold office until the next regular election.
NOTICE
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 5, 2011, ALL FEES CHARGED BY ANY CHARGE CARD ISSUER OR PROCESSOR FOR THE
PAYMENT OF DUES, FEES, FINES AND ASSESSMENTS, AND ALL OTHER CHARGES RELATED TO MEMBERSHIP
SHALL BE ADDED TO THE MEMBER’S CHARGE.
Iatselocal80.org
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January 2015
the eightynews
Classified Ads
FOR RENT: Crafts Service truck, lift
gate, geni, fridge, freezer, ice cream
freezer, sandwich bar. Int & ext satellite
TV, air cond, all stainless box, 4 sinks,
serving window. Lots of equip. if needed.
Health Dept approved. 818-209-5389.
Malibu. Backstage super duz-all cart w/
flag box & upgraded flag box wheels
$2229, All gear from Modern Grip Equip
5 milk crate large $16, 8 milk crate 1/2
school crate $16, 3 1/2 school crate liners
$9.50, vise grip b-board holder $42, 4
over & under pipe bracket for 1 1/4 pipe
FOR RENT: 3, 5, and 10-Ton Grip
$22, 3 grid clamp w male pin $28, 4 cup
packages. 3’ Camera Slider, dolly track &
blocks $7, 2 pipe to flange for 1 1/4 $26,
skate wheels. Specialty camera rig & car
2 screwjacks $40, 1 Cocoloris plates $10,
mounts. Call USA Grips for custom key
3 3/8 nail on plate $14, 1 pipe to jr male
grip package pricing. www.usagrips.com
adaptor 1 1/4 $30, 2 12” furniture
Jason Rupe 760-809-6742.
clamps $24, Email offer for items at Paul,
FOR SALE: Camera mounts in 3 rolling [email protected]
cases. Everything needed for camera
FOR RENT: Crafts Service 24’ trailer,
support. Bazooka, dolly troughs, custom
health dept certified, fully outfitted with
sled dolly, dolly monitor, and much
carts, tents ice chests, etc if needed please
more. Specialty rags all sizes, carts,
call 818-472-2864, Laura
rigging equip., 1 1/4” Speed Rail, gels,
and much more, too much to list. Like
FOR SALE: "Seaworthy Classic"
new. Must see and make offer. Serious
18' 1962 Glasspar outboard fishing boat
buyers only (Modern Studio Equip. &
w/ trailer. 35 horse Evinrude w/ 10
Back Stage) Call Levon at 818-522-3391 horse Johnson kicker. Loaded for ocean
fishing. $ 4,500 Call 562-692-6448 for
FOR RENT: 42’ Trailer w/ fully loaded
more information.
grip package for rent. Currently located
in Georgia. % to rent. Inventory list
FOR SALE: Vintage 1950s /1960s,
available upon request. Contact Joe at
Moviola crab dolly w/boards and seats.
775-232-4685 or Ellie @ 931-209-2773. Needs work. This could be a nice
restoration project. $600.00 obo. Can
LEGAL SERVICES: Robert F. Smith,
email photos.. Call Tom @ 818-355-9926
Esq. Criminal, divorce, and probate.
or email: [email protected].
Never fear, Smith is here. 818-231-2331
DO YOU WANT TO FABRICATE?
FOR SALE: Grip gear never used
If you have the space, let's put MY tools
original price listed below, pick up
in it! Shared space/Shared tools for both
parties. Machine/Tool list includes but
not limited to: full size milling machine,
13" bench lathe, Some tooling for both,
TIG Welder, MIG Welder, oxy acetylene
rig, welding table, bench sander, abrasive
saw. I prefer West SF Valley, Simi Valley,
Saugus areas, but open to others as well.
Call Tim Pogoler @ TIMCO 818-2811616
FOR SALE: Original Jony Jib 2. 8’ arm,
can be mounted to tripod or dolly, 50 lb
front load capacity. Includes a Mitchell
mount camera plate, weights, and the
road case. Road case is 73 1/4 L x 13 1/2
W x 13 1/2 T. I have all the hardware
and assembly instructions. $1200 OBO.
Bryan Gilbert, 213-200-6828.
________________________________
Classified Ads can be placed by sending
ad information to:
Local 80
attn: Kent, theeightynews
2520 W. Olive Ave., Suite 200
Burbank, CA 91505
email: [email protected]
All ads must be accompanied by a
telephone number of the person who is
placing the ad and $5.00. theeightynews
reserves the right to edit ads. Any
problem with an ad, please call Kent
Jorgensen at 818-526-0700, so future
problems can be avoided. Local 80 is not
responsible for advertisers’ claims.
RETIREE PRESCRIPTION CO-PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT REMINDER
Local 80 strongly recommends that retirees mail their prescription co-payment receipts to Local
80 as soon as possible after the end of each calendar quarter; receipts that are received after the
following deadlines cannot be reimbursed:
January, February and March receipts must be received no later than May 1st
April, May and June receipts must be received no later than August 1st
July, August and September receipts must be received no later than November 1st
October, November and December receipts must be received no later than February 1st
Submissions should be addressed to:
RX CO-PAY
IATSE LOCAL 80
2520 W OLIVE AVE STE 200
BURBANK CA 91505-4529
10
Iatselocal80.org
the eightynews
Issue 231
Worker’s Comp and Social Security Disability Need to be Reformed
by Kent H Jorgensen
Local 80 members, California workers, and workers
across America in general are not being served well by
U.S. workers’ compensation or Social Security disability
benefit programs. Like many programs aimed at
providing a safety net for working people, corporate
America and conservatives are working to diminish or
eliminate these programs. The result of someone being
injured on the job is red tape, hoops, denials, obstacles,
and frustrations many times leading to health and
financial problems for the rest of their lives.
This article is a start to inform Local 80 members of
the issues, and what steps are being taken by the local
and the whole of the Labor Movement to protect
workers by bring the United State up to a level of
benefits equivalent to other industrial nations.
Workers’ comp and Social Security disability are a
linked subject, but too large to be handled in this issue.
This month will discuss workers’ comp with excerpts
from a California Labor Federation, white paper*. Future
articles will continue this discussion for tackling the
disability issue.
California’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits for
injured workers and shields employers from most tort liability.
Workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system in which injured
workers must show that their injury is work-related, but they do
not have to prove that their employer’s negligence caused the injury.*
In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger introduced a harsh
“reform” measure (SB 899 Poochigian) that was modified and
improved in negotiations with then President Pro Tem John Burton.
Organized labor took a neutral stance on SB 899, which
ultimately passed both houses of the Legislature with overwhelming
bipartisan support. Schwarzenegger had publicly stated that his goal
was not to cut benefits for injured workers, but rather to create more
objectivity, more uniformity, more consistency, less friction, and less
litigation in the system. For example, permanent disability (PD)
benefits based on empirical wage loss were expected to ease litigation
over PD ratings. Employer-chosen doctors were supposed to decrease
the disputes over appropriate medical care, and incentives to return
injured workers to work were meant to create more harmonious
transitions back to work. This is the brokered deal that the
Legislature overwhelmingly passed in 2004 and on which labor
stood neutral.
Yet, despite the Governor’s stated intentions, the regulations
implementing SB 899 slashed indemnity benefits for injured
workers, delayed and denied medical treatment, and complicated
injured workers’ ability to successfully return to work. The deal was
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(Continued on page 13)
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January 2015
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Issue 231
(Continued from page 11)
broken and injured workers are suffering. Schwarzenegger reneged
on his promise to protect the injured, employers enjoyed significantly
reduced workers’ compensation costs, and insurers, until very
recently, collected historic profits. In short, injured workers were
forced to foot the bill for this windfall.*
KEY FACTS
 The frequency of workers’ compensation claims has dropped
almost continuously over the last 15 years, with a 14% drop
since 2006. Workers’ compensation changes that have made it
harder for injured workers to access benefits have pushed
claims frequency even lower.
 Deregulation of the insurance market caused the crisis in
workers’ compensation. The Legislature repealed the minimum
rate law in 1993, triggering predatory pricing and the
insolvency of 32 insurance companies. This deregulation also
encouraged insurers to adopt undercutting pricing structures
that, beginning in 2000, spiked costs for employers.
 Permanently disabled workers face 40% cuts in permanent
disability (PD) benefits. Total PD compensation has been
slashed by 2/3 rds.
 Temporary disabled workers face strict time limits on their
benefits. Many are being forced to rely on group health
insurance and state disability insurance (SDI) – a benefit they
pay for themselves.
 Medical treatment is being delayed and denied by insurance
companies applying utilization review and strict interpretations
of medical treatment guidelines. These reviews of employer
chosen doctors are creating more friction and costs for the
system while delaying care for workers.
 A cottage industry of profiteering doctors, pharmacies, bill
reviewers and debt collectors have exploited loopholes in the
system and driven up costs – with no benefit to injured
workers.
 Incentives to return injured workers back to work are
inadequate and ineffective. The law desperately needs stronger
measures to encourage employers to keep injured workers on
the job.*
Schwarzenegger’s brutal reforms have proven that workers’
compensation woes can’t be fixed by simply slashing benefits and
denying medical care. As the Legislature and Governor work to
restore California’s broken workers’ compensation system, a few
key points must drive the discussion. First, laws passed by the
Legislature can’t be ignored during the regulatory process. Second,
unreasonably delayed medical care is effectively denied medical care,
and finally, adequate benefits to injured workers must be restored
and must be the centerpiece of reform.*
The full article more completely lays out the history,
the problems, and the fixes proposed for labor to pursue.
This, like many problem facing workers, is the result of
concerted effort by forces attacking the middle class,
unions, and working people throughout the country.
Extensive money and resources are being used in these
efforts. If we want to save and improve the hard fought
benefit from our past, we have to make a collective
effort. Future articles will provide more information on
these issues and on actions to be taken.
*California Labor Federation, White Paper: Workers’
Compensation Reform: Undoing the Damage of Schwarzenegger’s
Rules, March 2012
http://www.calaborfed.org/userfiles/doc/2012/CLF_W
orkersCompWhite_Paper_2012_release4.pdf
Iatselocal80.org
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January 2015
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the eightynews
Local 80 Officers
President
Russell C. Nordstedt
Vice President
Bob Babin
Secretary/Treasurer
Rick Schunke
Issue 231
Business Representative
Thom Davis
Executive Board
Patrick Daily
Damon T. Doherty
Chris Hager
Kent H Jorgensen
Lloyd M. Moriarity
Bill R. Sordal
Vinnie Torres
Eric Whitehead
Page Williams
Sergeant-at-Arms
Chris Adams
Iatselocal80.org
Trustees
Tommy Adams
William Brady Majors
Fred Perdue
Business Agents
Craig Conover
Russ Nordstedt
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the eightynews
iatselocal80.org
IATSE Local 80
2520 W Olive Ave, Suite 200
Burbank, Ca. 91505
No General Membership Meeting in January
Calendar
January
February

No General Membership Meeting


18th, 9:00 am: Executive Board
Meeting
1st, 10:00 am: General Membership
Meeting: Floor Election

8th, 9:00 am: Executive Board
Meeting
2nd Quarter Dues are Due March 31