April: A Month of Troublemaking

April 2, 2021/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

If you’re not familiar with Labor Notes, now is a good time for it! They’re an amazing resource for union leaders, members, and those curious about how unions work and why they are important. From their website:

Labor Notes is a media and organizing project that has been the voice of union activists who want to put the movement back in the labor movement since 1979.

Through our magazine, website, books, conferences, and workshops, we promote organizing, aggressive strategies to fight concessions, alliances with worker centers, and unions that are run by their members.

During the month of April Labor Notes is offering a series of workshops held via Zoom for the incredibly low price of $20.00! Additionally, they are offering 50% off a year’s subscription to Labor Notes magazine and even further reduced registration for those in need. They aren’t turning anyone away from educating themselves for lack of funds.

Unfortunately I did not get to this early enough to catch the first workshop, but you can get it on the rest of the month by registering now. Below is a list of the workshops they’re offering with a brief description of each.

Webinars and Unlimited-Participation Workshops
(these workshops have no attendance caps):

Building a Caucus and Transforming Your Union (Thursday April 15: 7 PM EDT)
Drawing on the example of CORE in transforming the Chicago Teachers Union, teachers, health care workers, postal workers, and more are building caucuses to push for more fighting unions. How can caucus work build a more democratic, rank-and-file union and grow our power? How do caucuses start? What are some of the pitfalls to be aware of? Panelists: Shira Cohen, Working Educators Caucus, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers; Andrew Solar-Greco and Rhiannon Maton, Member Action Coalition, United University Professors, State University of New York (SUNY); Patrick Weisansal II, Communications Workers Local 1168; Ryan Gray and Jamie Partridge, Portland Caucus of Rank-and-File Carriers, National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 82.

Direct Action Organizing for Health Care Workers (Sunday April 18: 8PM EDT)
COVID-19 exposed to the public what health care unions had been saying for years: the system is broken! Staffing shortages, lack of PPE, furloughs, and unclear policies meant that nurses, techs, nursing assistants, and support staff in all departments bore the brunt of the pandemic while health care corporations made record profits. This event will feature different stories of workplace organizing and direct action against the boss to build power for essential health workers.

Past Practice Grievances with Robert Schwartz (Monday April 19: 7 PM EDT)
Past practice is one of the most frequently cited concepts in labor relations. In this workshop, retired union attorney Robert M. Schwartz, author of How to Win Past Practice Grievances, will discuss the subject in a straightforward manner, identifying the five elements of a bonafide past practice and when a practice has, and does not have, contractual status.

Austerity: The Myth and How to Fight It (Date and time TBA)
The Covid-19 pandemic, while unique, has created a familiar crisis in the form of shrinking tax revenues and demands for concessions from workers. In this panel, we’ll hear about how austerity is a political choice—not a material necessity—as well as how some unions are fighting back against austerity-driven concessions. Panelists TBA.

Organizing at Amazon: Lessons Learned and the Work Ahead (Saturday April 24: 4 PM EDT)
Amazon is now the second-largest employer in the U.S., and a presence everywhere in the lives of Americans, reshaping the retail and logistics landscape. This panel will provide an overview of the company’s operations and growth and the threat it poses to members of the Teamsters, postal unions, UFCW, ILWU, and other unions, as well as working conditions generally. We’ll hear from workers on what it’s like to work at Amazon, and about organizing in the company’s warehouses, including a report on the union drive in Bessemer, Alabama. Moderator: Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief of The Real News Network and host of Working People podcast. Panelists: Spencer Cox, Amazon researcher, PhD student, University of Minnesota, Lauren Kaori Gurley, senior staff writer at Motherboard, VICE’s tech site, and a representative from Amazonians United NYC.

Labor and Climate Change Solutions (Sunday April 25: 5 PM EDT)
In the past few years, the gravity of the climate crisis has become ever more clear even as policymakers and corporations refuse to act. At the grassroots level, labor has become increasingly active in finding a solution, but much remains to be done. What are local union activists doing to build a more sustainable workplace and world, and how can rising union activism connect with the global struggle to stop catastrophic climate change? Panelists TBA.

National Educators Call: Assessing and Building Power in the Pandemic and Beyond. (Tuesday April 27: 8 PM EDT)
What have we learned? What are our next struggles? Join preK-12 educators from across the country to identify the struggles ahead and discuss how to use lessons learned from the pandemic going forward.

How to Defend Your Co-workers in Disciplinary Meetings (Thursday April 29: 6 PM EDT)
Stewards are the backbone of every union, defending their co-workers when they are needed most. In this workshop we will review how stewards can use their special rights and protections to effectively advocate for their coworkers in investigatory interviews. We will also discuss how to handle supervisors who are trying to put you off or trip you up. Facilitators: Chris Brooks and Stefanie Frey, NewsGuild of New York

Beating Apathy
Are you beating your head against the wall trying to get other workers involved? This workshop is for you. Hear success stories from those who’ve turned their workplaces around and turned apathy into action. Learn practical organizing tools for engaging your co-workers, taking action, and getting results.

Assembling Your Dream Team
Your workplace may feel like an unorganized mess, but the truth is you’re not starting from zero. There’s organization there already—though it might have nothing to do with the union. Learn how to map out the existing networks in your workplace, identify the leaders in those networks, and then knit them together into an organizing committee.

Turning an Issue into a Campaign
Everybody has complaints and frustrations, but an organizer has the power to turn problems into opportunities. Learn how to sort through the issues you hear from co-workers, bring people together, and make a plan to solve them.

Skills and Limited-Participation Workshops
(these workshops have attendance caps):

Secrets of a Successful Organizer Parts 1, 2 and 3 – a series of nuts-and-bolts organizing trainings based on our book, Secrets of a Successful Organizer :

Beating Apathy:
- Saturday April 3 (12-2 PM EDT)
- CLOSED – Wednesday April 7 (7-9 PM EDT)
Assembling Your Dream Team:
- Saturday April 10 (12-2PM EDT)
- CLOSED – Wednesday April 14 (7-9 PM EDT)
Turning an Issue Into a Campaign:
- Saturday April 17 (12-2 PM EDT)
- CLOSED – Wednesday April 21 (7-9 PM EDT)

If you have any interest in any (or all, since they’re all included in the price), you can find details and the registration form here: April Month of Troublemaking

More educational opportunity!

Related, yet a separate thing from a different organization, Labor’s Bookstore is offering 50% off all their previously read books. They are closing down the used books section of their store/website May 1st so they can “focus on even more new and exciting titles”.

From their website:

Labor’s Bookstore has its roots in the former Union Communication Services (UCS), founded by David Prosten. Here at Labor’s Bookstore we are proud to publish many of the titles formerly carried by UCS. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of previously-read books at very affordable prices.

Labor’s Bookstore aims to provide union leaders and other activists with resources that will better enable them to serve their members and communities.

Check out the selection here to add titles to your personal collection.

One more thing. You know what it is, it’s what I do… Be safe. Be well. STAY HOME OR MASK UP even if you’ve been vaccinated. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

Women Making History: An IATSE Local 26 Timeline

March 31, 2021/in Blog Posts/by Jessica Westra

For Women’s History Month let’s look, frankly not that far, back into the history of IATSE Local 26. Celebrate the women that were responsible for breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations. We are one of the most long-lived with a National Alliance charter signed November 15, 1894. Our International Charter was signed on July 24, 1902, after IATSE welcomed Canadian Locals into the Alliance. For a time, we were known as Local 291, with an International charter signed on July 10, 1913, before going back to our original Local No. 26. Over the years we merged with other Locals, including Local 188 out of Kalamazoo.

Whether you choose our original 1894 National Charter or the International Charter in 1913, we are looking at 86 to 67 years with an entirely male membership. Barely more than 40 years ago, that barrier was shattered by Mary Sides of Local 188 and Karen Kuiper of Local 26.

Carolyn Schneider is known for being the first woman elected to Local 26’s Executive Board when she became Recording Secretary. What many do not realize is that, at that time, this was a non-voting position. Does that lessen her achievement? Absolutely not. She was in the room where decisions were being made. She may not have been able to voice a vote, but she was able to voice a perspective. Sadly, we returned to a completely male Executive Board for several years after Carolyn left office.

It was not until 2001 that our own Beth Snyder was elected Recording Secretary. It was still a non-voting position in the Local. In 2005, Beth was the first woman to represent us at the meeting of the highest legislative and judicial body in the IATSE at the Quadrennial Convention. Shortly thereafter, a Local 26 Constitutional amendment was passed giving the Recording Secretary the vote, so she became the first woman allowed to vote on Executive Board motions.

2006 was the beginning of a new era. Stasia Savage became the first woman to serve as Business Agent for IATSE Local 26. The BA oversees all members and referents, as well as day-to-day operations of the Local and its office. She represents the Local in all dealings with employers, provides employers with labor through the Local’s Referral program, and maintains a list of all work assigned. She also serves as Delegate to the International Convention and Michigan Alliance, Eighth District, and the AFL-CIO. It is the most influential and powerful position in the Local.

Stasia led the Local to organize Miller Auditorium, the Grand Rapids Ballet, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and the summer concert series at Frederik Meijer Gardens. The last of which was organized after Michigan became a Right to Work (for less) state. In 2008-2012 the movie business was busy in Michigan and Local 26 proved that there is more to MI than Detroit when it comes to movies. And that just because we are a small local doesn’t mean you can push us around. We stopped local 38 from taking the film jurisdiction for the entire state. Thanks to that income we were able to purchase our office building in 2008 and pay it off in two years. Though some opposed it at the time, it has been a great asset. Beyond the membership meetings, we have hosted numerous training classes, committee meetings, political action sign making events, and numerous other activities to build up the union.

Rose Sturgis became the first woman to serve as 2^nd Vice President. She reported directly to the President. At the time the 2^nd Vice President specifically focused on Wardrobe issues. Her duties included investigating all complaints of members and deciding, if possible, upon all questions between the employers and employees. Vice Presidents also act as part of the Trial Board of the Local. Rose went on to faithfully represent us for a total of four terms as 2^nd Vice President.

For the first time three women were elected to the Executive Board of Local 26 at the same time. Together these ladies were able to move the union forward as a more inclusive and transparent organization. Women were starting to recognize the possibilities for success in our Local. They inspired many women to join the union. Clearly the membership recognized we were on the right path. Three years later, the 2009 election found us again with Stasia as Business Agent, Rose as 2^nd Vice President, and Beth as Recording Secretary. After the 2012 election, Stasia remained in office as Business Agent and Rose as 2^nd Vice President.

2015 brought the total of women elected to office to four: Jessica Westra as Recording Secretary, Rose as 2^nd VP, Stasia as BA, and Jessi Nix-Gould as a Trustee. The Local was growing by leaps and bounds. The old paper notebook and pen system we used for filling calls was finally retired and we began using CallSteward.com. It dramatically increased the transparency surrounding how we filled calls and made tracking schedules, contact information, and skills much more efficient and easier. As soon as a Labor Request was received, it was entered and visible to the members and referents. People could make plans and arrange carpools. Department Heads knew who was on their crew before they showed up for work. We were modernizing and improving.

In 2017, Beth was tasked with redesigning the Local 26 website. She worked with the developer to create our first fully functioning website, giving members and referents access to important documents such as our contracts, referral procedure, venue information and forms and making them now available at all times. Members can review meeting minutes going back multiple years. The site also provides a professional presentation to the public. She continues to oversee content and ensures information is up to date.

June 4^th, 2017 at Frederik Meijer Gardens saw an entire female Local crew for Replay America. Head Carpenter Megan Claypool (Second generation Local 26 member, second from the right) led the crew through every step of the process of setting up a live show. Jess Westra was call steward at the time. One dinosaur actually asked her who was going to do the heavy lifting. The answer, as always, was simple: the women. In every department from Electrics to Audio to Rigging, we have women working and succeeding. Don’t take our word for it! The vendor was asked that day how things went. The response: “Today was a breeze, can we have them all back next time?”

In 2015, Jessi Nix-Gould was elected the first woman Trustee of Local 26. Trustees are charged with ensuring any officer or employee of the Local who handles funds and/or property is bonded as required by law. They are also responsible for auditing the books of the Local every six months and ensure all books and records of the Local are preserved for at least five years.

That is a dry description. Trustees keep us honest. They are the ones that make sure union funds are spent on union business, union training, and union causes. Jessi took this job seriously. She completed the inaugural session of IATSE’s Officers Institute Local Trustee Training and brought that knowledge back to our Local.

Stasia made history again by becoming the first woman to serve as President of IATSE Local 26. The President presides over all meetings of the membership and Executive Board, works with the BA to set an agenda for each meeting that addresses the short and long-term goals of the union, appoints all Committees and their Chairperson, and enforces the Local’s rules, wage scales, and conditions. As President she served as Delegate to the International Convention, the Michigan Alliance, the Eighth District, and the AFL-CIO. Under Stasia’s leadership Local 26 added several standing committees, including Political Action and Diversity.

We were not a large Local, but we were definitely on a successful path. In 2006 we did $2.6 million in payroll. By the end of 2019 we had done $4.3 million in payroll.

After 12 years of successfully managing the Local as BA, we were fortunate that Stasia also used her time as President to help our next Business Agents find their footing. She has now moved on to be an International Representative and Assistant Director of Stagecraft for IATSE out the New York offices. Stasia also sits on the Executive Committee of the IATSE Women’s Committee and is the Chair of the IATSE Green Committee. She continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders in Local 26.

2018 was the second time four women were elected to the Board: Stasia became the first woman President, Jess Westra the first woman 1^st VP, Beth returned as Recording Secretary, and Jessi Nix-Gould remained a Trustee. While Jess Westra was Co-Chair of the Education and Safety Committee the hours spent on training between 2017 and 2019 tripled! She personally taught many safety courses, steward trainings, and new referent orientations. She also co-created courses on Knots, Weight Loading, Wardrobe, and more. She expanded the Local’s social media presence to use it as a tool for education, activism, and engagement.

Jess has been instrumental in changing new contracts and working agreements to more inclusive gender-neutral language from the male-dominated language of the past, as well as the Local’s Constitution and By-Laws, Referral Procedure, and other formal documents. She is also spearheading the addition of protections for working parents and caregivers to our agreements.

Which brings us to the present. In the 2020 election Jess Westra became President, Lindsey Katerberg joined the Board as 1^st VP, and Beth remains Recording Secretary. Additionally, Jess Westra is currently working as the first female Head Video on house staff at DeVos Place.

Lindsey Katerberg may singlehandedly bring a film tax credit to Michigan. She now sits on the board of MIFiA (Michigan Film Industry Association). She has led multiple events to push for the HEROES Act, extending unemployment, and ensuring our legislators do not forget or ignore the entertainment industry. Lindsey has been interviewed multiple times by both local and national news outlets and maintains a relationship with politicians from Local to National.

Local 26 now has a dozen collective bargaining agreements and a multitude of rate sheets for ongoing work that we do across the jurisdiction. We have good relationships with all our employers and in the community. We are a respected local in Michigan, across the country and within the International for our ongoing accomplishments, activism, progressive attitude, and participation. It’s not uncommon for women to equal or sometimes outnumber men on a call, and calls staffed with women only are becoming far less unusual. Approximately 1/3 of our current members are women, and that proportion carries through to referents as well.

Campaign for Michigan Film Tax Credit

February 15, 2021/in Blog Posts/by Jessica Westra

A message from Lindsey Katerberg, IATSE Local 26 First Vice President:

IATSE Local 26 West Michigan Stagehands ask for your support in our campaign for film tax credits in Michigan. Film tax credits will bring numerous forms of media to Michigan; films, streaming, television, corporate, commercial, as well as benefit and grow existing Michigan businesses, create new Michigan vendors, and most importantly create thousands of new jobs. For those of us in the live events and entertainment industry these tax credits are vital to securing new employment projects and opportunities in these uncharted times where the vast majority has not seen work in our industry since March 2020.

We are seeking discussion with representatives to educate and explain the nature of our industry, the breakdown of this proposed legislation, the multiple ways in which it benefits our State as a whole, and how it brings Michigan to the competitive market with over 30 other states. As we listen to those saying that these tax credits are not a priority given the pandemic and economic challenges, let us remind everyone that our industry has not yet reopened and will not any time soon, leaving us most deeply impacted. In our fight to move forward out of these dark times we have joined the Michigan Film Industry Association in their efforts to rebuild our industry cementing a more secure future for our prospective employment for years to come.

We are working with the Michigan Film Industry Association to create and support a sustainable film tax credit program.

The legislation includes the following:

A two-tiered program that covers both commercials/industrials & feature film/television/streaming productions

A transferable tax credit-based system rather than a grant or rebate based one; no money is paid out of the general fund

Applicants may sell off unused tax credits to other MI based companies, typically at a percentage on the dollar which makes them attractive to purchase. The tax credit stays in Michigan & benefits Michigan companies. It is a one-time transfer with up to 10 assignees

For projects 20 minutes or longer the application fee is $2000, requires a minimum spend of $300,000, & the cap for total credits issued per year increases at regular 3-year intervals over a 10-year period: $50 million $75 million $100 million

For projects 20 minutes or under the application fee is $1000, requires a minimum spend of $50,000, & the cap for total credits issued per year increases at regular 3-year intervals over a 10-year period: $2 million $4 million $10 million

If the cap for credits is not met they roll over into the next year

The application fee is non-refundable & will be used to fund the Michigan Film Office

To qualify production must begin within 90 days of approval

The base tax credit starts at 25% for in state spending with an additional 5% rewarded for the inclusion of a “Filmed in Michigan” logo

A 30% tax credit is awarded for hiring Michigan residents, non-residents are only given a 20% tax credit, & any wages paid out to a single person per project in excess of $500,000 do not qualify for a tax credit

The bill includes language defining what constitutes a “full-time employee” which will support a more accurate count when tracking the increase of jobs created as a result of the film tax credits

Pre-production, production, & post-production will qualify, ‘development’ costs will not

Language that excludes ‘pass-through’ transactions & businesses from qualifying protect Michigan based companies & encourages new business investment; qualified vendors must show a brick & mortar /inventory/full time employee presence

Under a tax credit-based system there is less initial burden on the Film Office & Treasury which allows applications to be processed faster- qualified expenditures are verified at the end of the project before a credit amount is issued

Language that requires verification by an independent CPA & signed affidavit to submit qualified expenditures for approval ensures accountability

No tax credits will be authorized or issued to any applicant until there is confirmation that all qualified vendor & employee invoices have been fully satisfied & paid in full which ensures that the Treasury can collect taxes before issuing the credit

We encourage you to reach out to your state representatives to encourage their support.

Something Good Ornament Contest

December 12, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Jessica Westra

This year unleashed an avalanche of negativity, illness, and financial struggle. We all could use a break from thinking about it. So we are going take a little time to share a bit of positivity. We are inviting IATSE Local 26 members, referents, and their families to create something good. Think about what has given you solace this year. It could be a favorite song, place, character, anything that makes you happy. Are you looking forward to Christmas, New Years, or Inauguration Day? Maybe playing in the snow or curling up with your teddy bear? Then break out the arts and craft supplies. Make an ornament to celebrate it and share some joy.

Ornament must be:

Homemade
Between 1 inch and 6 inches in diameter
Must hang from a string
Be something GOOD

I understand some of our stagehands are proud to have the blackened soul of the condemned but this is a family contest. No vulgar, suggestive, or hurtful entries will be accepted.

Send photos of ornaments to mail@iatse26.org please include artist’s name and age (or just indicate artist is over 18). Entries must be submitted by no later than ~~5pm Friday December 18th~~ . ***Sunday 12/20 at 5pm*** (extended entry time). Winner’s ornaments will be featured on social media. We have prizes appropriate to each age group and gift bags for participating children. Winners and parents will be contacted about contact free prize pick up or delivery.

Age groups:

Under 6s
7-12s
13-18
18+

Prizes will be awarded based on creativity, inspiration, and theme. To the lucky winner of the Broadway Puzzle, I highly recommend listening to the cast recordings while working on the puzzle. It doesn’t help you solve it any faster but it does make every move seem very dramatic!

New Payroll Paperwork

October 30, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

(Updated 16 August 2021)

(Updated 30 April 2021)

Most of you have already heard UTP needs everyone to do new paperwork the next time they work. There are two reasons for that:

During the down time, they went through their files and purged everyone who had not worked in a year prior to March.
While they were going through their files, they discovered most of the I-9s they had on file were improperly filled out, and the federal government has gotten stricter about enforcing those rules.

While some of you may already be current on paperwork, it was decided EVERYONE should fill out the packet again to avoid missing anyone. If you have not worked on a UTP-paid job recently, there is no hurry and you can fill it out either when it’s convenient for you or when you are scheduled to work the next time (which will hopefully be sooner than later!). If you have worked a UTP-paid job since September 1st, the only way to ensure you receive your pay is to fill it out ASAP.

Some things have changed from how you’re used to doing it, and they are important changes! First, the person who sees your supporting citizenship documents in person must fill out Section 2 of the I-9. That is the second page, where your documents are listed with their numbers and expiration dates (if any). This part cannot be filled out by the employee themselves, only the employer representative. You must show them a physical copy of your supporting citizenship documents. Photocopies or photographs are no longer acceptable; you must show the actual items.

Traditionally, we have suggested a driver’s license/state ID and either a birth certificate or a social security card. In lieu of those, a valid US passport has been suggested. We are not allowed to require any specific documents. The complete list of acceptable documents for each list (you must either provide one from List A or one each from Lists B and C) can be found at the Department of Homeland Security. Again, please bring the actual documents with you so we can see them, or we will be unable to complete your paperwork.

UTP has helpfully put together highlights of the instructions for the I-9. I’ve added my own actual highlights for those things most often missed. A copy is included with each paperwork packet at the office.

You must write something in EVERY box in Section 1. If something does not apply to you, you must write “N/A” in that box. Yes, even apartment number. No boxes can be left empty. None.
Your dates must be written in the correct format or your I-9 will be rejected. MM/DD/YYYY. In other words, if your birthday is January 7, 1980, you must write it as 01/07/1980. Same thing for the date you fill out the form. 10/31/2020 or 11/03/2020 or whatever. Has to have two digits each for month and day, and four digits for year. Every time.
You must check a box as to your residency status. 99.999999% of you are citizens, which is the easy option. If any of you are not, please check the appropriate box and write any required document number(s) in the appropriate box.
This one is tricky, since the photocopies aren’t as clean as I’d like. You must check a box indicating if you used a preparer/translator or not. It’s in a dark space so it’s hard to see at first glance, but it’s there and it’s important. If you do use a preparer/translator, they must fill out the information in that section.

That’s it! You’re done with your portion of the I-9! The page you see below requires nothing of you except that you provide your supporting documents from the list. We take care of the rest.

The rest of the packet is what you’re used to, for the most part. The Federal W-4 has a couple of extra pages with formulas and charts so you can figure out what you need to do when you have multiple employers. Those worksheets are for your records and are not required by the IRS through the payroll company.

Michigan W-4 is the same as it ever was, as is the Grand Rapids W-4. Please note, even if you live in a city other than Grand Rapids that charges a city income tax, UTP will not withhold that city’s tax. The only exception is if the work is performed in another city which has an income tax, such as Walker, Battle Creek, or Muskegon. To the best of my knowledge, we have never performed work for UTP in a city other than Grand Rapids which has its own city income tax.

Also in the packet is the authorization to deduct Local 26’s referral fee (currently 6%) from your check, which is a document you are required to sign under the Referral Procedure in order to work. The last form is a direct deposit application, should you want UTP to pay you that way rather than with a paper check. Please note, if you choose to use direct deposit, you must provide an email address where they can send your check stub. They do not physically mail direct deposit receipts.

This one is tricky for a lot of people for some reason. The IA26 office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Fridays from 12:00 PM (noon) to 4:00 PM. If you want to walk in without having to make an appointment, you must come during those times.

However, we’re willing to work with you because we understand those hours might not work for everyone. If you call the office (616-742-5526) during those hours or send an email to mail(at)iatse26.org, or use the “other” subject line on our Contact Us form with days/times you would like to come, we will do our best to make that happen. If possible, give us multiple choices so there’s a better chance someone will be available to meet you. It could be evenings or weekends if necessary. We want you to get paid, so we’ll try to get you in as soon as we can.

If you’d like to save time and fill out everything before you come in, great! The entire packet is available for download on the IA26 website under Member Documents – Steward Documents. Note: If that link does not work for you, please apply for an account on the IA26 website. Simply print, fill out, and bring with you when you come and it should take less than 5 minutes to make sure everything is properly filled out and get copies of your I-9 documents. Otherwise we have packets already printed at the office you are more than welcome to fill out when you get there. Whatever works for you.

****FACE COVERING REQUIRED**** Also, we limit the number of people other than staff in the office at any one time to two. Surfaces are sanitized after each use.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email the office! We’re here to help, Tuesdays 10-2, Fridays 12-4, or by appointment.

You know how this ends, it’s what I do… Be safe. Be well. Mask up. GET VACCINATED. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

Local 26 Executive Board

September 3, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

The September General Membership meeting is a busy one for Local 26. It’s when we set officers’ salaries for the upcoming term, nominate candidates for all offices in the Executive Board, and a Judge and Tellers are appointed for the election. Since quite a few new members have joined us since the last regular election, I thought I’d explain the various offices and their duties so all of us can make an informed decision when we choose to nominate someone or second a nomination, and then of course when we vote.

The Executive Board of Local 26 is led by the President, and consists of a Business Agent, Secretary-Treasurer, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary/Sergeant-at-Arms, and a Member-at-Large. Also elected are three trustees. These are all three-year terms, with nominations held in September of each year.

If only one person is nominated for an office (and accepts) that person is automatically installed in that office the following January. If two candidates are nominated for an office, they are both placed on the ballot. If three or more candidates are nominated for an office, the Local holds a primary election; if one person gets 51% or more of the vote in the primary, that person is decreed the winner and will be installed in that office the following January. If none of the candidates receive 51% or better of the vote, then the top two candidates will be placed on the ballot.

Those conditions do not apply for anyone nominated as Trustee, since there are three positions to fill. All those nominated for Trustee will appear on the ballot, and the three who receive the most votes will be installed in January.

Assuming not every candidate runs opposed or no one wins decisively in a primary election, the regular election is held in December. New this year out of consideration for health concerns and for the future when members may be touring or otherwise not in the jurisdiction on Election Day, each member will receive an official ballot along with their Notice of Election, with complete instructions on how to fill it out and return it. Ballots are mailed to the last known address of each member, so it is very important to let the office know if you move.

The current officers of Local 26 are:

President: Stasia Savage
Business Agent: Josh Roskamp
Secretary-Treasurer: Matt Taylor
1^st Vice President: Jessica Westra
2^nd Vice President: Glenn Gould
3^rd Vice President: Walter Shink
Recording Secretary: Beth Snyder
Member-at-Large: Stan Sacha
Trustees: Carlos Aguilar, Jessi Nix-Gould, Ed Wager

In brief, the job descriptions of the various officers are below. Complete officers’ duties are detailed in the Local’s Constitution and By-Laws.

President: Serves as First Delegate to the International Convention and Michigan Alliance, Eighth District, and AFL-CIO. Presides over all Board and Membership meetings and appoints all committees and their chairpersons. Can only vote on motions in the event of a tie.

Business Agent: Serves as Second Delegate to the same organizations as the President. Oversees all members and referents as well as day-to-day operations of the Local and its office. Represents the Local in all dealings with employers, provides employers with labor through the Local’s Referral program, and maintains a list of all work assigned. The Call Steward function is part of the BA’s job but is typically delegated to others who work closely with the BA to ensure fairness and that proper procedures are followed.

Secretary-Treasurer: Serves as Third Delegate. Keeps an accurate record of all financial transactions, assets, and liabilities of the Local, as well as maintains all accounts. Collects dues, fines, and assessments, and oversees any investments. Acts as Corresponding Secretary, and acts as the liaison to the payroll corporation.

Vice Presidents: Report to the President on affairs of the Local and assist in the Training Committee. 1^st VP serves as Fourth Delegate. 2^nd VP serves as Fifth Delegate. 3^rd VP serves as Sixth Delegate.

Recording Secretary/Sergeant-at-Arms: Serves as Seventh Delegate. Keeps the minutes of all membership and Executive Board meetings, transcribes them, and provides a written report at the next meeting for review. Ensures none but members or invited guests enters the meeting hall during meetings and takes attendance at each meeting.

Member-at-Large: Serves as Eighth Delegate. Acts as the liaison between the membership and the Executive Board and serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.

Trustees: Ensure any officer or employee of the Local who handles funds and/or property is bonded as required by law. Responsible for auditing the books of the Local every six months and ensuring all books and records of the Local are preserved for at least five years.

Not all members are eligible to run for office. A member must be actively engaged in the industry within the Local’s jurisdiction, have worked for at least 120 days in the past 36 months, and have been a member in continuous good standing of this Local for a period of two years. Time served as an Officer of the Local counts toward the 120 days.

Once the Election is completed, ballots tallied, and results announced, the officer-elect is expected to spend time with the outgoing officer learning the position. Then at the first regular Membership meeting in January the new officers take the required pledge, the outgoing officers turn over all papers and properties belonging to the Local, and newly-installed officers proceed to their new positions.

Regarding Delegates: As I mentioned in the post about the GEB, each Local is guaranteed one Delegate by virtue of being chartered. From there, Delegates are added depending on size of membership. Local 26 currently is allowed two Delegates. The reason for assigning each officer a Delegate order is in case one or more of the primary Delegates cannot attend any given convention or meeting. With a progression already in place hotels and flights can be booked (if necessary), which in the past had to be delayed until an election was held to determine who the Delegate would be.

If any members have questions regarding the nomination and voting process, please feel free to contact the office either by email any time or by phone during current hours (Mondays and Fridays 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM unless noted on the Contact page) and we’ll do our best to clarify anything for you. One thing it is important to note about nominations is a member must either be present at the September meeting or have submitted a Letter of Intent to Serve no less than five days prior to the close of nominations.

Hopefully all that didn’t confuse you, but if it did please reach out. Deciding who will run the Local and represent us as delegates for the next three years is an important decision.

You know what comes next, right? Be safe. Be well. STAY HOME OR MASK UP. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

IATSE General Executive Board

August 27, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

In the last post, I briefly touched on the General Executive Board (GEB), but in this one I’d like to go a little more in-depth about them. The GEB is led by the International President and consists of the General Secretary-Treasurer and 13 Vice Presidents, along with three trustees. There are also a number of Assistant Department Directors and International Representatives as well as a CLC (Canadian Labour Congress) delegate.

As I mentioned before, of the 13 Vice Presidents two are designated as coming from Canadian locals, one from the West Coast Studio Production locals, and one from the Special Department locals. The remainder are undesignated and can come from anywhere within the IA. I want to point out here that literally any member has the potential to end up serving on the GEB if they wish. This isn’t like your parents telling you as a child you could be President someday, this is real.

Every single member of the GEB, past and present, started as a member of a Local, and all of them remain so. Obviously you have to want it, and you have to work to make it happen, but I can tell you of the GEB members and other folks I’ve met over the years, they are all at heart stagehands of some sort. When Thomas Short was the International President, Local 26 hosted the 8th District convention and he attended. I was one of the people collecting money for the IA’s PAC fund, and on the form is a line to state your profession. He wrote, “stagehand”. That’s it. I was very new at the time, I’m not even sure I was a member yet, and that impressed me. Then a few years later when I was elected to be the Local’s second delegate to the IA convention, I was waiting to vote for the GEB with then-Vice President Matthew Loeb in front of me in line. I was taking photos out the window and he asked me if I had any with me in them. I didn’t, so he grabbed my camera and made me pose facing two different directions because he didn’t want me to not have any.

I’ve got a few other stories, but those are the ones that stand out to me. They’re just people. Deserving of respect because of their positions, absolutely. But people just the same. Someday one of them could be you! I find that neat.

Anyway. The current leadership of the IATSE can be found here, with photos of each member so you can put a face to a name and their bio. Our current President is Matthew Loeb, General Secretary-Treasurer is James Woods. The Vice Presidents in order are: Michael Barnes, Thomas Davis, Damian Petti, Michael Miller, Jr., Daniel Di Tolla, John Ford, John Lewis, Craig Carlson, Phil LoCicero, C. Faye Harper, Colleen Glynn, James Claffey, Jr., and Joanne Sanders.

The three Trustees are: Patricia White, Carlos Cota, and Andrew Oyaas. CLC Delegate is Siobhan Vipond. International President Emeritus is Thomas Short, and Vice President Emeritus is Edward Powell. D. Joseph Hartnett is the Assistant Department Director of Stagecraft, Vanessa Holtgrew is the Assistant Department Director of Motion Picture & Television Production, Dan Mahoney is Assistant Department Director of Motion Picture & Television Production, and Robyn Cavanagh is Assistant Department Director of Education & Training.

Several of the Vice Presidents and/or Trustees oversee Departments of the IA, although that responsibility is not necessarily assigned to the particular position they are in, but to them as a person. Michael Miller, Jr. is the Director for the Motion Picture & TV Production department. Daniel Di Tolla is the Director of the Stagecraft department. John Lewis is the Department Director for Canadian Affairs. Joanne Sanders heads the Trade Show & Display Work department. Patricia White directs the Education & Training department. The three Trustees are also responsible for performing semi-annual audits of the International’s books and records of financial activities.

All GEB members are elected every four years at the IA Convention, among other business conducted. Every local in the IA can send one delegate to the convention by virtue of having a charter, and they gain additional delegates based on number of members. In Local 26, these delegates are assigned by Constitution to different offices, which is something to bear in mind when nomination time comes. Just like membership meetings, the convention is run by Roberts Rules of Order, and takes place over several days. At the convention I attended, a motion was made from the floor to accept the sitting GEB for another term in toto (as a whole, nothing to do with the dog in Wizard of Oz) that was passed so we didn’t vote for President, Secretary-Treasurer, or VPs, but there were more than three candidates for Trustee so we had to vote to decide who they were. If you’ve chosen your Local officers well, they will represent your interests when voting for the GEB.

The General Executive Board is the last stop in the appeals process should a member exhaust all other steps in the appeal process for disciplinary action by the Local. They also have the legislative authority to amend the International Constitution by unanimous vote; such changes are then sent to the Locals so they can ensure their Local Constitutions are in compliance.

Next time I’ll get into Local 26’s Executive Board and responsibilities, so members can make informed decisions when they choose to nominate or second a nomination for any given position at the September General Membership meeting. But until then…

Be safe. Be well. STAY HOME OR MASK UP. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

IATSE Structure, Departments, and Represented Crafts

August 25, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

Members and non-members alike have sometimes been confused by how the IATSE works. Obviously we all know we do live and recorded events (when there isn’t a pandemic), but there is a whole lot more involved in working through the IA than that. There are different departments overseen by different Vice Presidents of the IA, there is a definite hierarchy that goes from the newest probationary worker all the way to the International President, and the IA represents dozens of crafts within the entertainment industry. I’m going to try to explain how all that works for those who may have been wondering.

Structure

At the lowest level are the 375+ individual union locals in the United States and Canada. They were organized to represent entertainment workers in either a geographic location, a specific craft, or both. Locals are assigned numbers usually based on when they were formed, but that isn’t the only factor. Sometimes Locals merge, sometimes they disband if their work disappears permanently, etc. Local 26 has a large geographical jurisdiction through merging over time with other Locals in the area. Locals typically have a membership meeting monthly.

A directory of all the Locals in the IA can be found here.

One level up from Locals are Districts. There are 13 geographical districts between the United States and Canada. Each District has a Secretary who is responsible for maintaining financial records as well as the District’s activities, and serves as the coordinator for the individual Locals that make up the District. Districts conventions must be held every two years, although many choose to meet annually.

Next level is the International. It is made up of the President, General Secretary-Treasurer, and 13 Vice Presidents. This is known as the General Executive Board, or GEB. Of the Vice Presidents, two must come from Canadian Locals, one from the West Coast Studio production Locals, one from the Special Department Locals, and the rest can come from anywhere in the IA. There are also three International Trustees, whose responsibility is to review the financial activities of the International. The GEB oversees all national contracts of the IA.

The International officers and trustees are elected every four years at the International Convention by the delegates from all the Locals in the IA who attend. As with regular elections, the number of delegates each Local may send to the Convention is determined by how many members they have. There are also several Committees made from Delegates to handle the business brought before the Convention. During the Quadrennial Convention, each Craft in the IA will caucus (meet separately) to discuss common issues of importance to them but that don’t necessarily apply to the IA as a whole.

If you’d like more detail about structure, the International has put together an excellent explanation here.

Departments

There are eight Departments within the IA:

First is Stagecraft, which concerns live events in various forms throughout the United States and Canada.
The Motion Picture & TV Production department concentrates on all technical aspects of recorded productions.
The Tradeshow department as I’m sure you can guess deals primarily with tradeshows and conventions.
The Canadian department of course looks after the Locals in Canada and helps them organize, and concentrates on national issues such as benefits. Since Canada has the same array of crafts as the US, the Canadian department works closely with the others.
The Education & Training department oversees, supports, and searches out all educational opportunities for workers in the IA. They are closely involved with several other organizations to keep up with changing technology, and operate an outreach program for high school students to foster interest in the IA.
Social media, website, email, and coordinating with other Departments is handled by the Communications department. They form both a formal and informal means of communicating between Locals and also between Locals and the International. Additionally, they provide materials to help Locals communicate better with their membership, especially with modern means of communication.
The Broadcast department oversees Locals that represent television, live broadcast, and live sports broadcast. Their responsibility is to help organize everything from local TV stations to national sports networks.
Finally, the Political and Legislative department ensures IATSE workers have a voice in the political process. They work with the IATSE PAC and encourage Locals in grassroots efforts so our needs are not ignored by elected officials. They also keep members aware of upcoming issues that directly affect the industry, so they can exercise their voices and votes.

Again, if you would like more detail, the IA has put together another page of explanations here.

Represented Crafts

This gets very involved, but I’ll try to keep it as simple as possible and give you the ones you’re most likely to run into. At the back of every Quarterly Bulletin is a listing of all the crafts represented by the IA and their different letter designations. Local 26 is a Mixed local (M), which means we technically represent workers from all crafts, although we don’t necessarily have workers from every craft at any given time. Most Locals that represent specific crafts are found in large cities, although not all of them.

M: Mixed locals, such as Local 26 and 274 (Central and Northern Michigan, usually just referred to as Lansing).
S: Stage Employee locals, such as Local 38 in Detroit.
TWU: Theatrical Wardrobe Union, such as Local 786 in Detroit.
MPP,VT&CT: Motion Picture Projectionists, Video and Computer Technicians, such as Local 199 in Detroit.
T&T: Treasurers and Ticket Sellers, such as Local 757 in Detroit.
T: Theatre Employees – Special Departments, such as Local B179 in Detroit.
TBSE: Television Broadcasting Studio Employees
AE: Arena Employees
MAHS: Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists
C: Camerapersons

There are a whole slew of designations specific to motion pictures, and dozens of others as well. For a complete list of all the crafts represented by the IATSE, click here.

Hopefully you’re not more confused than when you started!

Now the refrain: Be safe. Be well. STAY HOME OR MASK UP. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

Stress, Mental Health, Harassment, & Bullying Hazard Awareness Resources (2026 Update)

July 17, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

Recently, the IATSE offered a workshop titled “Stress, Mental Health, Harassment & Bullying Hazard Awareness”, which Jess Westra, the Local’s President and Chair of the Education and Safety Committee took. She said the workshop was a lot of statistics, and “made me feel like everywhere is better than America. We need to be better and stop being proud of our insane hours.” Now that we’re all experiencing involuntary down time, it seems like a good time to change our mindset and try to do better by ourselves.

One way to do that is to check out the incredible variety of resources available through the IA and other organizations specifically designed to help displaced workers get through any mental issues they may currently be experiencing and also ways to deal with problems that may occur when we (eventually) go back to work. The workshop provided a gigantic list of links to resources, which I will try to post a short explanation for each one (most will be quotes from their websites) so you have an idea if each one will help you or not.

Local 26 has created a Mental Health Support Group. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to local26mh@gmail.com. This is not intended to replace professional therapy or diagnosis, but to give workers a safe place to vent, share concerns, and help each other develop effective coping strategies. Confidence is strictly enforced.

IATSE Cares: “IATSE C.A.R.E.S. (Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service) is a new initiative designed to provide support to our most at-risk, elderly, and/or disabled members during the COVID-19 crisis. This website will also be used to provide information about future Mutual Aid efforts from the IATSE.”

Part of IATSE Cares that bears separate mention is the Buddy Up program. “IATSE C.A.R.E.S. created a buddy system where members can check in with one another while practicing social distancing. You can choose to have these conversations as frequently as you see fit, from every other day to once a month. Additionally, you may also opt for a one-time check-in.”

Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative: “Many people have become increasingly concerned about the rising number of suicides and the prevalence of alcohol/substance misuse within the entertainment industry. By its very nature our industry can impact your physical and emotional health due to long hours, pressure to push your body, and high workplace stress. In response, Behind the Scenes and other individuals and organizations have come together to create this initiative.”

HelpPro: Has created a searchable list of mental health professionals who either work (or have worked) in the entertainment industry themselves, or who have experience in counseling those who work in the industry.

iRel8 and Behind the Scenes: Partnership that produced “a mobile application that gives users an open and anonymous platform to receive mental health help, provide relevant advice to others, and relate to a larger community – all in a safe and non-identifiable way so a user’s reputation is not compromised in any way with friends, family members, or work colleagues.”

The Actors Fund: “Founded in 1882, The Actors Fund is a national human services organization here to meet the needs of our entertainment community with a unique understanding of the challenges involved in a life in the arts. Services include emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development and more.”

Behind the Scenes Foundation: “Behind the Scenes was founded to provide assistance to entertainment technology professionals in need, no matter what color their skin, the language they speak, the religion they follow, or gender or sexuality they identify as. Our motto is, “Don’t leave your colleagues in the dark.” We want to shine a light into the dark corners of violence, hatred and injustice. We want to shine a light on this moment and the opportunity it represents; to become a better world that respects and protects the rights of every individual. A world that provides equal access to justice, economic opportunity, health care, and all-embracing social freedom.”

MusiCares: “MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly influence the health and welfare of the music community.”

Music Health Alliance: “Music Health Alliance serves all persons in the entertainment business nationwide in all genres of music who need assistance with medical bills or health guidance that includes finding doctors or prescription medicine, finding financial grants while recovering from a serious health issue, affordable health insurance, or answers to Medicare questions.”

American Psychological Association: Offers an extensive list of “COVID-19 resources for psychologists, health-care workers and the public.”

American Psychiatric Association : Provides resources for Patients and Families to “Learn about common mental disorders, including symptoms, risk factors and treatment options. Find answers to your questions written by leading psychiatrists, stories from people living with mental illness and links to additional resources.”

MentalHelp.net: “We’ve here collected resources concerned with helping people to manage disabilities. Given our psychological bent, where we’ve generated resources ourselves, they will focus on mental health in disability, although we’ve been much broader in selecting outside resources. We hope you’ll find this resource useful.”

Therapy for Black Girls: “The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.”

LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color (QTOC): “QTOC is a San Francisco/Bay Area grassroots, volunteer-led group providing support, networking, leadership development, and community building opportunities for LGBTQs of Color in Psychology, Social Work, and Counseling.” While they are in the SF/Bay Area, they do offer virtual services.

Mental Health America: Mental Health America is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and condition prevention. MHA has compiled a range of resources and information. They have resources for different segments of the population to concentrate on their specific individual needs.

Drugwatch has published a guide on anxiety that covers: causes, common types, symptoms and tips for management/prevention titled “How to Deal with Anxiety”. It covers many reasons a person could feel anxiety, of course due to COVID-19, but also in general.

In Determining If You Need Drug Rehab Rehab Spot takes a look at the difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction to drugs both legal and illegal, and offers several ways to get in touch with a rehab counselor should you feel you need one.

Social Work License Map has pulled together a collection of 60 digital resources for mental health help that “spans diagnostic tools, research portals, government organizations, nonprofits, blogs, and phone hotlines devoted to addressing issues ranging from general mental illnesses and disorders such as autism, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, to the specific needs of diverse populations, including LGBTQ youth, minorities, women, and veterans.”

The Addiction Center recently published an article explaining how depression affects addiction, and also explains the difference between the different types of depression. Additionally, their website features many other sections about mental health and addiction.

There are also several phone numbers (and some you can text) for help dealing with whatever is bothering you. Sometimes it’s easier to reach out to someone anonymously over the phone or by text than to talk to someone you know or with whom you are face to face. However you feel comfortable talking to someone, please do so.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788
Crisis Text Line: Text REASON to 741741
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency: 1-800-622-2255
LGBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678 (Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning—LGBTQ—young people under 25.)
Mental Health America Hotline: Text MHA to 741741
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: (888) 721-3166
Rape, Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE or text HOPE to 64673
Crisis Text Line From US & Canada: text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor

We are all in this together, but we are all at different places mentally, financially, and physically. Please don’t feel you are alone, and please don’t feel you just need to “tough it out”. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… THERE IS NO SHAME IN NEEDING HELP. Reach out. There is help available, a lot of it for free. Don’t try to go it alone; there’s no need. Self-care is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Even if you don’t currently experience issues with depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, talking to someone can make you feel less disconnected from the world while we are out of work. A friend has called me a couple of times just to chat and see how I’m doing, and it’s made a huge difference in how I feel. And a lot of these resources will be helpful when we do get back to work, whenever that may be.

Now, what do we say?

Be safe. Be well. STAY HOME OR MASK UP. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

Father’s Day Colouring Fun!

June 18, 2020/in Blog Posts/by Beth Snyder

Family is Important

Traditionally, a family consisted of a mother, father, and children. Many families still do! But the definition of “family” has expanded to include all sorts of combinations, traditional or not. You may have noticed the IA has started addressing the membership (one type of family) as “Brothers, Sisters, Kin”. That’s because our leadership is aware of and in support of the changing societal landscape of families. Love is love is love. And since it’s not only Father’s Day but Pride Month, embracing all types of family structure is even more important.

With that in mind, and as a means of promoting a little fun and creativity, Local 26 is pleased to present to you Father’s Day colouring pages! There are biological fathers, fathers who have adopted, fostered, made a difference in someone’s life, and/or served as a role model. They come in all shapes, sizes, colours, religions, genders, gender preferences, and nationalities. They may not even know you feel about them the way you do. What a perfect time to let them know, and without having to head out to a store or add yet another tie to their collection!

Fun and a Way to Relieve Stress

Thanks to Jess Westra (First Vice-President and Chair of the Education and Safety Committee as well as wearing a whole host of other hats at various times), here you’ll find printable PDF colouring pages, ranging from toddler easy to grownup difficult, all with the same basic message: Thank you for who you are, what you do, and everything you mean to me. Make one for whoever in your life has filled the role of “Dad” for you, and have fun doing it. Something handmade means more than buying something because you have to. It means you care enough to spend a bit of time creating something just for them.

Couldn’t we all use a bit of happy about now? Check out the black and white images below, print your favourites (or all of them, why not?), and grab your crayons, coloured pencils, markers… whatever you prefer. Create something for a special person and share the happy. You won’t regret it, and you’ll end up making someone’s day!

We’d love to see your creations! Upload to Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and use #IA26FathersDay to spread the love even further.

What are you waiting for? Get Colouring!

Also, and you knew I was going to say it… Be safe. Be well. Stay home or cover your mouth and nose when you go out. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!