Hi everyone!

Please help us build up the FAQ/Library.

Just post a reply to this thread and submit your question -- we'll write the answer and post it in the FAQ.

Thanks!

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Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com

OK, now I'm on a union show. How many hours do I need quarterly to keep my union benefits going?

Dangofett, you need 600 hours in a 6-month period to activate your health benefits. You need 300 hours every six-month period afterwards to maintain them. If you log more than 300 hours in a six-month period, your extra hours will be "banked." Up to 400 hours, I think -- although I may be off on that one. So, if you're already on the plan, and you work a job that gets you 600 hours, you will have your health care covered for one year. I usually call up the Plans every six months or so and ask, OK, how many hours do I need by when to stay covered? How am I doing? They'll tell you.

Your pension is more complicated. In that case, you want a minimum of 400 hours in a calendar year. After five qualified years, you are vested. Ideally I think you want to retire with 60,000 total hours. The whole subject is byzantine, but the bottom-line is, the more hours you have, the better off your pension will be.

Possible FAQs:

What is this union roster I keep hearing about and how do I get on it?

What are the eligibility requirements for joining the guild?

I think I'm eligible, how do I join?

Cool.....thanks you two.

Anyone else?

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Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com

Possible FAQs:

I am an assistant editor working union assist jobs. How can I move up within the union to the editor classification?

What does the union offer members later in life when they retire (pension, healthcare)?

How much are dues and how often do they need to be paid?

OK, more FAQ'a are up.

I'm working on FAQ'a about scale and working non-union if you're a member.

Any more?

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Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com

Can one extend his bank of hours if one has less than 300? When do they expire? Is there an extension on expiration due to the strike?

Putting up some more FAQ shortly.

Dancemaker, there has been no extension due to the strike.

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Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com