July 19, 2017
DGA Senior Advisor Jay D. Roth was presented with the first-ever IATSE Honorary Lifetime Membership Award on July 19 at IATSE’s 68th Quadrennial Convention in Hollywood, Florida. The award was given in recognition of Roth’s decades of contributions to the industry and his 22-year tenure as National Executive Director of the DGA.
The award was presented by IATSE International President Matt Loeb and was a surprise to Roth, who received a standing ovation. Roth had just finished speaking to the more than 1000 IATSE members assembled, following prepared remarks given by DGA President Thomas Schlamme and National Executive Director Russ Hollander about the importance of the IATSE/DGA collaboration and the long-standing bonds between the two unions.
Hollander spoke first, stating: “IATSE members and DGA members together make up the heart of the production unit and it’s our collaboration on the sets of this country and throughout the world that truly drives an industry that creates the world’s finest entertainment, employs hundreds of thousands of people, and engages billions around the world. Jay, President Loeb and past DGA Presidents have worked closely for two decades forging deeper bonds and collaboration between our organizations. Our close ties have bolstered the strength of our solidarity, and netted successes we would not have been able to achieve on our own. Under Jay and Matt’s leadership, we’ve banded together to protect our members and the industry against the corporate, technological, and legislative issues that challenge the livelihoods of our members, the creativity of our craft and the direction of our industry. The DGA remains committed to building upon this strong foundation. Together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”
Making his first official speech outside the Guild as President of the DGA, Schlamme said to the assembled IATSE members, “Our relationship with the IATSE is of particular importance to the DGA. Our decades-long institutional relationship is not only invaluable to each individual member, but serves the strength and direction of our industry as a whole. It’s no coincidence that we’ve joined forces to address the policy and political issues that impact the livelihoods of our members. As those before us have done – we also need to continue to fight every day to make sure our value is recognized and protected. That as the creators of this amazing, unique work, we’re appropriately compensated with benefits and pensions – safety nets that cushion us from the risk we take on as creative freelancers. The collective gifts of our members, their skills and craftsmanship – and commitment to union service – are more important now than ever. I look forward to our continued work together and to deepening the strong bonds between the DGA and IATSE that have developed over the past decades so we can tackle the obstacles that lie ahead. The times demand it; our members demand it. And, I know that working together – our future will be bright.”
“It is a great honor to be here today at this great convention with my good friend President Loeb,” said Roth before receiving the surprise recognition. “I retired as Executive Director of the DGA less than ninety days ago. While I served the DGA as Executive Director for 22 years, my journey in the entertainment industry started long before – in fact, 40 years ago with IATSE. Our solidarity has not been one that we just talk about in speeches, but is put into action in many aspects of our unions’ lives. Whether in DC on legislative matters, locally on film incentives, sharing research and thinking about collective bargaining, or dealing with the somewhat regular crises that arise in the industry or on productions, the IATSE and DGA leadership are regularly communicating or working together. We all well know that there are many challenges ahead for union workers in this country and in the entertainment sector. In an environment of increasingly aggressive employers and an unfriendly federal government, we have had to confront tremendous change in each of the last decades. We have learned to rely on our skills, collective strength, and have succeeded where many others have failed. The experience of my 45 years in the Labor movement makes me confident that the IATSE and DGA will be prepared for change and be open to experiment, without compromising what we stand for – and there is little doubt that our unity will enable us to weather the trials yet to come.”
photos courtesy of IATSE