By Carolyn Giardina

The Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) has warned its members that the union will no longer offer free benefits to the many members who have faced low employment in recent months as contributions to the industry's pension and health care plans decline.

Local 700 told members in a memo sent on September 4 that the union “cannot consider any further fee-free extensions at this time” as it continues to see hourly contribution amounts to the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plan decline. It is understood that Local 700 will stop providing COBRA-free contributions, and this applies to all MPI plan participants and is not limited to those in an individual guild or union.

In the memo, Cathy Repola, national director of Local 700, explained that the pension and health plan “is still facing reductions of more than 20% from 2022. This reduction in work was expected and is precisely why we lowered our hour assumptions during this year’s base agreement negotiations. While we are on track to meet the new assumption, we must also ensure that active and retiree health plans maintain a certain amount of monthly reserves.”