VIDEO: IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb Discusses the Union's Response to the Health Crisis

IATSE president Matthew Loeb gave a video statement regarding the union's response to the current health crisis.

"As a result of the coronavirus, virtually all of our work shut down immediately, causing severe unemployment for the better part of our 150,000 members," Loeb said.

"Our efforts have been tireless, to lobby, to ensure the inclusion of entertainment industry workers in any legislation that the government puts forward," he continued. "We have to continue to lobby in both the United States and Canada on a state level, on a municipal level in order to secure our future, whether it's for IATSE members or support for our employers."

He goes on to talk about IATSE Cares, an initiative that facilitates volunteer deliveries for at-risk members, and allows volunteers to check in with other members by phone.

Loeb concludes by saying: "This union has been through wars, plagues, terrorist attacks and strikes and natural disasters since 1893. Through our collective strength and our voice and our spirit of compassion and commitment, we've gotten through and we're going to get through this too."

Watch the full video.

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