The 2025 IATSE District 2 Convention will be held in Waikiki, Hawai‘i on July 27. The Animation Guild delegation will propose resolutions to be introduced and voted on by the delegates of the IATSE Locals in Arizona, California, Hawai‘i, and Nevada that make up District 2. Below, you can read a summary of the proposed resolutions.
Resolution for Remote Convention Attendance
By allowing hybrid virtual and in-person meetings, many Locals have enjoyed a significant increase in member meeting attendance overall member engagement. In-person attendance only at conventions incurs a cost to Locals, resulting in fewer members participating in convention proceedings. In addition, conventions that require air travel present significant challenges and health risks to members, for example, with disabilities or childcare responsibilities. Since current technology has enabled IATSE Delegates to attend and participate in convention proceedings remotely in the past, this resolution seeks amendments to Article Three and Article Four of the IATSE Constitution, accommodating members who are unable to attend in person and allowing them to attend via a remote electronic meeting platform, with equal rights and privileges as in-person attendees.
Resolution Addressing Artificial Intelligence
Research commissioned by Locals of this Alliance has shown that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and similar emerging technologies pose a distinct threat to labor forces in the entertainment industry. While new contract language regarding AI has been achieved by many Locals (but not all), and IATSE uses its Political and Legislative Department to advocate for protective laws and policies supporting a broad coalition of labor, this resolution asks that IATSE Locals convened at the 2025 District 2 Convention continue to monitor and understand new developments with AI in the industry and commit to prioritizing human employment whenever possible regardless of technological developments. It also asks for a commitment to supporting legislative and political efforts that may mitigate any potential harmful impact on entertainment employment opportunities that arise as a result of AI and a commitment to collaborating in future contract negotiations in order to achieve the most protective language regarding AI.
Resolution to continue supporting increasing racial diversity in IATSE membership
People of Color (POC) have been historically discriminated against and marginalized in the entertainment industry, and POC who do gain entry into the entertainment industry still face greater difficulty attaining upward mobility due to systemic setbacks. Diversity, equity, and inclusion-centered policies protect and uplift marginalized communities from discrimination, and while the IATSE 69th Quadrennial Delegates adopted the most inclusive agenda in the Union’s history, it is important to measure membership demographics over a regular period of time for statistical reasons in order to better serve the Union. This resolution requests that IATSE reaffirm its commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Union, and that all Locals explore the continuation of the IATSE Census. This resolution also asks that all Locals explore the development or continuation of mentorship programs that uplift and support marginalized members with the aim of increasing diversity in leadership roles, and that all Locals explore building relationships with civil rights organizations within the AFL-CIO.
Resolution to continue expanding transgender medical treatments and surgeries covered by health insurance plans in IATSE Collective Bargaining Agreements
Our Union protects the livelihood of our members by providing health insurance coverage as a benefit in our collective agreements, but Trans members spend countless hours debating with insurance companies who demand exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses for gender-affirming medications, surgeries, and procedures. These must be deemed essential to IASTE for Progressive and Corrective Equity and Inclusion. Many scientific and academic studies show that depression and anxiety decreased for Trans people who sought out gender-affirming care. While our leadership has started this task to expand medical coverage for trans people under our health insurance, we encourage them to continue fighting for coverage from the long list of not-covered procedures. This resolution asks that the Locals of District 2 commit to review health plans for their members and work to include robust coverage for gender-affirming medications, surgeries, and procedures for Queer and Trans members to ensure the most up-to-date WPATH standards of care and terminology are reflected and upheld.
Resolution to support our LGBTQIA+ members and communities
Unions are stronger when we refuse to be divided by sex, sexuality, and gender, in the same way we refuse to be divided by race, religion, birthplace, age, culture, or physical and mental ability. By standing with these members in solidarity and providing outreach to these communities, our Union has in turn been enriched by their many contributions in every corner of IATSE. While IATSE uses its Political and Legislative Department to advocate for our members in order to make safer and fulfilling places of work and commits to defend our LGBTQIA+ members as stated in the IA Equality Statement, this resolution requests that the Locals of IATSE District 2 commit to review their PAC and political contributions to endeavor that current and future donations go towards politicians or groups that support our LGBTQIA+ membership.
Resolution to support accessible accommodations at the International Convention
Members who are immunocompromised, disabled, pregnant, and/or have physical/mental conditions that prevent them from traveling are frequently unable to attend the International Convention. It is important to IATSE that all demographics are supported. A commitment to defend our diverse members promotes the mission of the union as stated in the IA Equality Statement. This resolution asks that IATSE support members of all physical/mental conditions in going to conventions, that a study be commissioned to determine what additional services or accommodations are needed to allow participation from affected members, and that those results shall be published for our membership’s edification.
Resolution addressing religious and spiritual inclusion
While the Locals of this Alliance come from a broad range of spiritual and religious backgrounds, some District Conventions in the past have opened with a Christian prayer. This resolution asks that IATSE Locals convened at the 2025 District 2 Convention commit to representing all faiths and beliefs pluralistically whenever possible.
Resolution for 2025 Solidarity with Canada
The President of the United States of America has threatened to annex the sovereign nation of Canada. The IATSE’s jurisdiction includes Canada. A Local’s elected Officers, Executive Board, and District delegates are bound by, and hold in esteem, the tenets and laws within the International Constitution and By-Laws, and solidarity is our duty to each other regardless of nationality. It is a key tenet to increasing our collective strength, and this resolution asks that the IATSE Locals convened at the 2025 District 2 Convention hereby reaffirm their solidarity with their Brothers, Sisters, and Kin in Canada and endeavor to show support for their sovereignty by all honorable means.