IATSE has suspended leadership at a prominent U.S. local amid allegations of corruption.
Local 479, which represents more than 7,000 film and television technicians across Georgia and Alabama, has been temporarily placed under the stewardship of several special representatives after President Matthew Loeb “declared an emergency” at the division last month, according to a letter sent to members and obtained by Deadline.
“This decision was the result of an investigation in which reliable and credible information was brought to my knowledge that the property and membership rights of the Local were subject to irreparable injury if there was no temporary intervention,” Loeb’s letter to members read.
In elected leadership’s stead, Loeb has appointed IATSE International Trustee Andrew Oyaas, International Representative Jamie Fry, Special Representatives Daniel Mahoney and Kevin Amick as the Local’s temporary trustees.
The letter cites Article Seven, Section 16 of the union’s constitution, which bestows Loeb with the power to remove local leadership “where reliable and credible information is brought to the knowledge of the International President indicating that a condition exists in an affiliated local union whereby the actions of the officers or members thereof endanger the property rights or interests of this Alliance…”
While the exact nature of the allegations are unclear, Deadline understands that there were financial issues that were recently brought to international leadership’s attention and prompted further investigation.
Per the note from Loeb, a hearing on the matter was scheduled for July 20, which is typically a forum for elected officers to plead their own case on the matter and present evidence to contradict international leaders’ claims. Details on the hearing, as well as potential next steps, are scarce.
IATSE declined to comment on the internal matter but confirmed to Deadline that Local 479 remains under a conservatorship.
International leadership is juggling quite a bit of strife recently. In addition to apparent internal turmoil, the union is also contending with the possible outcomes of Paramount’s $110-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. As the antitrust suits move toward a March trial date, Loeb joined forces with DGA executive director Russ Hollander to encourage a quicker reconciliation between Paramount CEO David Ellison and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (who is leading one of the two lawsuits) — whether in court or not.
The ongoing merger saga has begun to divide the Hollywood labor community. While DGA and IATSE have expressed a desire to swiftly end the fight, the WGA is also separately suing to block the merger and appears willing to go the distance to do so. SAG-AFTRA has publicly opposed the merger but has not joined the writers in court.
