IATSE pledges $2 million to support members affected by WGA strike

IATSE is stepping up to support its members during the ongoing Writers Guild strike, with a $2 million fund approved by the general executive board. The money will be distributed by trusted industry charities, including the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the Entertainment Community Fund, and the Actors Fund of Canada. IATSE International President Matthew Loeb emphasized that struggling members are not alone, and that help is available. This infusion of funds will allow Hollywood’s charities to assist even more workers in need, building on the $2.5 million fund established by IATSE during the early days of the Covid pandemic. The Entertainment Community Fund has already provided financial assistance to hundreds of industry workers affected by the strike, and the WGA and several prominent members have donated $1.7 million to the Fund to help non-WGA members. Meanwhile, the MPTF has seen a significant spike in requests for financial assistance, and the WGA West and WGA East have their own strike funds to help members. #PayUpHollywood is also collaborating with Women in Film and the EIC to provide grants to assistants and support staff impacted by the strike.