Understanding AV: Working with unions
Find out what the rules are and stick to them.
By Scott Reagles
Let’s start with the basics. First, there are minimum calls. That means, no matter how many hours union hands work there will be a minimum charge—usually four hours. Overtime rates will usually apply for anything over eight hours in a day as well as any time worked between midnight and 6 a.m. Holidays are often charged at overtime or double-time rates. There are also required breaks every two hours and meal breaks every five hours. Union laborers will work past that but at overtime rates.
In addition to hourly rates, unions will charge fees for payroll taxes, insurance, and retirement accounts. These fees can be up to 60 percent of the hourly rate. So if the hourly rate is $35 per hour, what you really end up paying is up to $56 per hour. Per person.
One Facility, Multiple Unions
Did you say you have to work with a union–singular? There’s a chance there will be multiple unions you’ll be required to use. There are unions to load and unload trucks, unions for stagehands, riggers, projectionists, video technicians, audio engineers, lighting, etc. Moreover, most unions will require that certain technical positions be filled by union personnel. This is part of a union’s contract with a facility and will vary from venue to venue. These positions are often camera operators, audio assistants, and so on.
Some unions are stricter, requiring union techs in positions even if you don’t need them, or requiring union techs in more key positions. You can use your own guys, but you’ll be required to shadow them with union techs. “One-for-One” venues require that a union technician be hired for every non-union technician onsite. A “shadow” is a union technician that is required when a non-union tech is working a position that a union is contracted to provide labor for. Shadows are required to be present but don’t do any work since their position is already occupied (by the non-union tech).
So if you want to bring your own camera guy from church, fine. You may be paying for a union tech anyway.
In many venues the unions will not allow anyone to operate or turn on any equipment (even your own) without a union call. If you are planning rehearsals or want to see something on screen or listen to a track on the sound system a union call may be required. In some cases you might get charged overtime rates for however long they estimate gear was being used without a union call. Do you have a guy at your church that owns his own camera and is going to shoot some videos at your conference? Even if your guy is a volunteer, if you’re at a facility that strictly requires union camera operators you will be required to hire a union tech.
Due Diligence
Most unions are actually very reasonable to work with. Some are very strict and costly. Don’t take a chance. Find out what the rules are, and stick to them. Don’t try to do an end run around a union—you’ll just be making things worse. When considering a facility, be sure to ask if they have any union contracts. If they do, ask for the name of the local union representatives, and give them a call. They will be very frank with you. It is not advisable to simply rely on the facility to tell you what the rules are. It’s an excellent idea to contact meeting planners who have used the facility before. And as always, make sure you talk to your AV provider about possible union requirements.
Scott Reagles is a production manager and video director for IPG (Initial Production Group), based in Denver, Colorado. He has focused on bridging the gap between clients and technology. You can reach him at scott@initialpro.com. IPG is a full-service production company that has been serving the religious market for more than 20 years.
This article was originally published in the April 2009 issue of Rejuvenate magazine.
