Local 600 is one of the largest of the 366 union locals in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), which represents the spectrum of artisans, technicians, and craftspersons who work in the entertainment industry across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Known as “The Union Behind Entertainment,” the IATSE traces its roots back to 1886, when New York theater stagehands formed Theatrical Protective Union No. 1, striking to win a $1-per-day wage guarantee. Despite strong anti-union forces, the Los Angeles Theatrical Workers organized in 1896, joining a growing alliance of live theater union locals calling themselves the National Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The early movie and newsreel industry was known for widespread worker exploitation, missing paychecks, and a blatant disregard for safety, resulting in serious injuries and even deaths that unscrupulous producers shamelessly used to promote the spectacular nature of their films. The Alliance began organizing studio jobs and staged a general strike in 1918, leading to the first Studio Basic Agreement in 1926. This was followed by the formation of Camera Local 644 in New York in 1928, and Los Angeles Camera Local 659 in 1929, as well as Chicago Camera Local 666 in 1929.
Having three independent regional Camera Locals, each with their own benefits plans, became more problematic as smaller and lighter equipment made location work increasingly popular. As productions moved around to different locations, Directors of Photography and their crews were often required to pay initiation fees and dues to multiple Camera Locals, with their benefit qualifying hours split between plans, while producers pitted the Locals against each other, angling for the most favorable rates and terms. These conflicts were resolved in 1996 when the three locals merged into the International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600. This freed members to work across the United States and Puerto Rico under the protection of one unified national Local, with a governance structure respecting its regional roots, with three member-elected Regional Councils working in concert with a National Executive Board and National Officers.
In 2002, the Publicists Guild merged into Local 600, which also came to represent Broadcast News crews at several television stations along with sports camera crews in the Los Angeles area. With a National office in Los Angeles and regional offices in New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, Local 600 members are respected worldwide for their artistic and technical leadership.