FTAC

[robert duke]

The Film & Television Action Committee (FTAC) was formed in Hollywood in December 1998 to address the issue of the Outsourcing of the American film workers jobs (Runaway Production). FTAC is a democratically structured, volunteer, grassroots, non-partisan, single-issue organization dedicated to recovering American film jobs that have been lost to the 19 foreign countries due to unfair trade practices. FTAC is supported and endorsed by these unions: IATSE Locals 695, 871 (by a vote of its membership, supported the FTAC 301a petition, not FTAC the organization) , 44, 728, 720, and 600. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), Studio Utility Employees Local 724 (LIUNA), International Brotherhood of Teamsters International, and Local?s 399, 355, 391, 509, 592, IBEW Local 40, Plasterers Local 755, UA Plumbers Local 78. In addition, the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association, the cities of Burbank, Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Glendale CA, Pittsburgh PA, Jersey City and Clifton NJ, Hollywood Center Studios, Michaelsons Catering, Fantasy II Film Effects, International Studio Services, History for Hire, Jackson Shrub Supply. Along with many other businesses that service the film industry and tens of thousands of rank and file Entertainment Workers who support the 301a petition.

 

Currently FTAC is Represented by a Washington DC based Trade Law Firm Stewart and Stewart. With the attorneys? help we are focused on the filing of a section 301a petition to negotiate with the 19 foreign countries, to comply with the trade agreements that they have signed with the U.S. FTAC opposes ?economic runaways? that move from one nation to another purely for artificial, trade distorting financial incentives. FTAC does NOT oppose ?creative runaways? that shoot in other nations purely for creative reasons. We support the concept of world labor solidarity between the film workers of all nations, and the healthy development of national film industries. FTAC is an integral part of the global fair trade movement and actively supports fair trade policies that place human need above corporate greed.

[Guest]

Question: Will the United States start a policy of honouring its trade agreements with foreign countries?

 

R,

[Warwick Hempleman]

Richard,

 

with the dollar where it is, Canada ought to be concerned about runaway production :)

[Guest]

Richard,

 

with the dollar where it is, Canada ought to be concerned about runaway production :)

 

If Canada "had" productions that could run away, it would be a real concern. But since Canadian films make up just 1% of the English Canadian box office, what productions are there to run away? :blink:

 

The CDN dollar has of course had a huge impact on US productions coming here. If the situation continues it will do more to keep US productions at home than any piece of paper the politicians could cook up.

 

R,

[Marcos Sanz]

If Canada "had" productions that could run away, it would be a real concern. But since Canadian films make up just 1% of the English Canadian box office, what productions are there to run away? :blink:

 

The CDN dollar has of course had a huge impact on US productions coming here. If the situation continues it will do more to keep US productions at home than any piece of paper the politicians could cook up.

 

R,

 

 

I think he's talking about runaway productions as the ones that go from the states to Canada, as that's the name they get.

 

run away as in; go to Canada shoot and run away!