My thoughts on the wages here, plus a couple of other things, so the Negotiating Committee can see it directly, as a members:

WAGES:

• Remove the TV rate and make all rates Theatrical. If not, add language that puts limited series in the category of Theatrical rates. The last 2 I've worked filmed like features with the addition of tandem and 2nd units overlapping in locations and at the same time. There was no balance
  

• While getting us to be the highest paid in the country is hopefully still the priority, I would recognize the great work done by Lindsay Dougherty and the 399 Negotiating Team and say my adjusted (to our categories) bottom line feels like (Below):

• SCOUT & ALMS: 11/7/9 (This is about the same the increase for Coord. and Assts. in the previous contract)

• COORDINATORS: 9.6/4/3.5 (Would actually like to see the Coordinators get the same as the ALMS/Scouts)

• ASSISTANTS: 7/4/3.5
  

DAILY: 2X rate after 10 hours for daily employees.

Of course there are many other issues like Min. Staffing/Roster and acess to a 401K, Increased car and kit.

The difference between a 401K and IAP: They are not the same

• The 401K can compound enough wealth to compliment the pension to create a sustainable retirement.
  

• An IAP has a fixed employer contribution (3.5%) that cannot be compounded the same as a 401K, because the latter allows us to contribute between 2%-40% of a paycheck, up to the annual max set by the IRS.

• A 401k can outperform our IAP in the several hundreds of thousands of dollars over a full career.

• MPIPHP does have 401ks in place for other (IATSE) locals. It is not employer contributed (maybe that part is a later fight).

• For the younger members this can make a major difference in retirement, and it's important to start now for compounding.