Search Results for: Local 727

Teamsters Local 727 approve student loan reimbursement

The Trustees of the Teamsters Local 727 Legal and Educational Assistance Fund announced that participants without a break-in-service since November 1, 2022, are now eligible for an educational student loan reimbursement up to $5,250.  This is a benefit for participants that have not participated in the tuition reimbursement program for their own education.  This reimbursement … Continue reading “Teamsters Local 727 approve student loan reimbursement”

Local 727 gives full support to striking SAG-AFTRA members

In a statement issued this morning, the Teamsters Local 727 gives their full support to the striking members of SAG-AFTRA. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in a historic double labor strike, not seen since 1960. The Local 727 statement: On … Continue reading “Local 727 gives full support to striking SAG-AFTRA members”

Local 727 negotiates highest wage increase yet for movie drivers

In an announcement to its members today, Local 727 stated that it has negotiated the best overall deals on behalf of membership with NBC/Universal and Disney/Twentieth Century Fox (respectively) since the Union began representing the movie group over a decade ago.  Long term projects such as those for the One Chicago productions (Chicago Fire, P.D. … Continue reading “Local 727 negotiates highest wage increase yet for movie drivers”

Teamsters Local 727 endorses Chuy Garcia for Mayor and contributes $25k

In a meeting of over 300 members, the Teamsters Local 727 endorsed Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garciain in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election. Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 members throughout the Chicago area. They released the following statement: In a meeting of over 300 members, on Sunday, December 18th, the Teamsters Local 727 Executive Board and Principal Officer Secretary-Treasurer … Continue reading “Teamsters Local 727 endorses Chuy Garcia for Mayor and contributes $25k”

Local 727 Members join in the Fight Against COVID-19

Local 727 members joined in the fight against COVID-19 at the United Center, working to convert space in Parking Lot E outside of the arena into a mass COVID vaccination center. Members assisted in the installation of a remote clinic set to serve the people of Chicago by distributing vaccinations beginning on March 9. Run … Continue reading “Local 727 Members join in the Fight Against COVID-19”

Local 727 purchases thousands of masks for members

When employers wouldn’t step up, Teamsters Local 727 stepped in—recently purchasing thousands of masks for distribution. On March 21, Governor Pritzker mandated a “shelter in place” order that outlined the specific employees who were deemed “essential” and could leave their homes to go to work. Many Local 727 members are considered essential, frontline workers under … Continue reading “Local 727 purchases thousands of masks for members”

New legislation & Local 727’s fight for its members

Over the weekend, the House passed legislation (Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201) in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the key provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act impacting workers includes: 1) requiring employers to give paid sick leave in addition to what employers currently provide for those directly affected by … Continue reading “New legislation & Local 727’s fight for its members”

Local investors are new studio owners

While it was believed the owner of three Toronto movie studios was also the owner of an $80 million movie studio for Chicago, it turns out that a local group of investors are the real owners.

Nick Mirkopoulos, chairman of Cinespace Studios, who is brokering the deal for the purchase of the Ryerson Steel property, said his company will simply manage the studio.

In fact, Mirkopoulos said, the contract hasn’t been finalized for the Ryerson property, though he is confident that it will be.

Teamsters’ John Coli urges sunset clause action

The Illinois House’s last-minute amendment to Senate Bill 4 (SB4) to add a sunset clause in five years to the state’s hard-earned tax incentives has riled up film workers who are eager to do something about it.

“By all means contact your state senator and tell him how you feel about the importance of retaining our incentives,” urges John Coli, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 727, with 6,000 members.   

What took them so long?

The Film Unit of Teamsters Local 727 hit a momentous historical milestone March 10 when it admitted — are you ready for this? — its very first female member in its 70 year history.

She is Ann Stuart, Chicago manager Props on Wheels, which rents whatever kind of vehicle model, year or make a producer could ever want or need in the line of film production.

“I was stunned,” says POW owner, Minneapolis based Brian Denny, a 17-year member of Teamsters Local 638.

Chicago WGA members to show solidarity with Starbucks workers

In an unprecedented move, Starbucks workers across the nation have banded together to form unions in over 335 stores within just two years. This historic unionization wave has been fueled by a collective call for Starbucks to uphold the progressive values it claims to stand for, by respecting the fundamental right of workers to organize. … Continue reading “Chicago WGA members to show solidarity with Starbucks workers”

Striking WGA members and supporters organize to picket NBC Tower

A formal announcement was issued to WGA members that the Writers Guild of America will picket NBC’s Chicago office (454 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60611) on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. CDT. The momentum grows as striking WGA members and supporters join in solidarity. Teamsters Local 727, who represent the Drivers who … Continue reading “Striking WGA members and supporters organize to picket NBC Tower”

The Chi halts production as WGA pickets filming location

The Chi halted production as the WGA members picketed their filming location on Friday afternoon due to the labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America West and East and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). We were told that when the cast and crew moved to the second location there was a picket line … Continue reading “The Chi halts production as WGA pickets filming location”

2022 in Review: To those we have lost

Reel Chicago remembers and celebrates the friends and loved ones of our community who no longer make the journey with us. Some showered us with their creativity. Some made us think differently. Some were just there when we needed them. All in all, the people we lost in 2022 made an impact on us. It’s the … Continue reading “2022 in Review: To those we have lost”

Power Book IV: Force pays tribute to beloved crew member Mike Zobel

Power Book IV: Force paid tribute at the season finale to beloved crew member Mike Zobel who passed away suddenly during the filming of the show. For those fans of Power Book IV: Force who noticed a tribute card dedicated to Mike Zobel at the end of the season finale and were wondering, “who’s Mike … Continue reading “Power Book IV: Force pays tribute to beloved crew member Mike Zobel”

Go Fund Me created to support the family of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming

Teamsters Local 727 asks for your support for the family of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming, wife of Local 727 Pepsi member Alfonzo Fleming, who lost her life on Friday, January 16, 2022, due to a senseless act of gun violence. Tamiko served the community as a beautician for over 30 years. She was a known counselor and entrepreneur, … Continue reading “Go Fund Me created to support the family of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming”

Chicago Teamster official charged with extortion

In an 11-page indictment returned Wednesday, the US District Court of Illinois charged high-ranking Teamster official John T. Coli Sr. with extorting “quarterly cash payments” from a business identified as “Company 1.”

Although the indictment does not identify the business by name, the Sun Times on Wednesday quoted an anonymous source who claims that it is Cinespace Chicago Studios.

According to the indictment, Coli demanded that “Company 1” deliver $25,000 cash payments from “around October 2016” until “about April 4, 2017.”

Thank YOU, Ron Howard!

WHAT AN UNEXPECTEDLY NICE GESTURE. In surely what’s got to be a first in the 35-year annals of Hollywood-in-Chicago entertainment production, departing director Ron Howard, stars Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, and the cast and crew of “The Dilemma,” placed a full page ad in the Sun-Times Friday.

The ad thanked Chicago “for a great shoot and a great time in your town!”

The ad offered “Our special thanks to ?

Construction on $80 mm studio underway

Construction is underway to convert a 330,000-sq. ft warehouse into the first of what could be seven to soundstages for Chicago Film Studios, on the 50 acre Ryerson Steel campus on the Southwest Side.

When completed, it will be the biggest state-of-the-art film studio outside and is propected to employ 6,000 over a five-year period.

The LB/OC L.A. director’s night of fun

ACCORDING TO RELIABLE SOURCES, one of the A-List L.A. directors, who came here for the Leo Burnett/Olympic Committee shoot last week, got into a bit of trouble at the wrap party at a local club and ended up in the ER.

It seems the director got into an altercation with the club management over the tab. Things got heated and an altercation with the bouncer ensued.

The bouncer removed the director from the premises. Because of a neck injury that the dust-up might’ve caused, the director was rushed to Northwestern Hospital.

Over 1000 march in SAG-AFTRA rally

“F**k AI” was the rallying cry as over 1,000 SAG-AFTRA members – many wearing black SAG T-shirts — and supporters gathered at Millennium Park today and marched to Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago. Entering its fifth day, the SAG-AFTRA strike is directed at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), who the actors … Continue reading “Over 1000 march in SAG-AFTRA rally”

Erica Duffy, Julio Desir, Adam Rudder team up on TV Pilot “The Donut Boyz”

The Donut Boyz, originally a hip-hop group, have been fusing comedy, rap, and snack foods into their musical stylings since 2006. Now Erica Duffy, Julio Desir, and Adam Rudder are aiming to bring that energy to your TV screens in the form of a half-hour scripted comedy series centering on the joy of Black male … Continue reading “Erica Duffy, Julio Desir, Adam Rudder team up on TV Pilot “The Donut Boyz””

‘One Chicago’ fans, get ready for May Sweeps

May sweeps are here and that is good news for One Chicago fans. Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire will run new episodes every Wednesday in May until the finale on May 26. The Reel Chicago staff has been planning a One Chicago finale party. If you’re planning to do the same, here’s a … Continue reading “‘One Chicago’ fans, get ready for May Sweeps”

Margulies’ visit canceled; film event-packed weekend

ACTRESS JULIANNA MARGULIES IS ILL – she has chicken pox – and her scheduled appearance Sunday, May 15 at Anderson’s Bookstore in Naperville has been canceled. “The Good Wife” star has been on tour promoting her children’s book, “Three Magic Balloons,” and her visit here will be rescheduled for another time.

THE WEEKEND WILL BE PACKED with city-sponsored Lake FX Summit events, with media and entertainment-related panels taking place at the Gene Siskel Film Center and the Cultural Center, free and open to all. Here are some of Friday’s panels:

ICG cites Chicago as one of 5 “great union locations”

Chicago’s ranking as a film city is a sometimes thing.  There have been times when Moviemaker Magazine, for example, has put Chicago on top of a list of the 25 best cities to live and work in one year, and then ignores it the next year in a similar compilation.

To compensate for past sins of omission, the current issue of the International Cinematographers Guild ICG Magazine cites Chicago as one of its five “Great [Union] Locations, where film commissions, vendors and residents love union crews.”