2023 Work Stoppage Resources

Additional Financial Assistance Passed by the National Executive Board (10/25/2023)

The National Executive Board met on Saturday, October 21, and unanimously approved additional financial assistance for our members affected by this work stoppage. They include:

• A second dues opt-out option for the first quarter of 2024;
• Deferred collection of payment plans from October 1, 2023, through the end of the first quarter of 2024;
• Allocated additional money for the Local 600 Work Slowdown Hardship grants. A second round of Work Slowdown Hardship grants will also be made available. The date the second Hardship Grants applications open will be announced soon.

Additional communications will be sent in the coming weeks regarding dues opt-outs for the first quarter of 2024.

MPI Strike Relief Update (10/26/2023)

MPI is providing the following resources to help Participants and dependents affected by the 2023 Work Stoppage. 

1. No-Cost COBRA for Certain Benefit Periods
2. Individual Account Plan Hardship Withdrawal (Applications opened on September 1) | Watch Video on How to Apply | PDF Instructions
3. Hours Granted for Health Eligibility for Certain Participants

Read the full update here.

Financial Assistance

The National Executive Board has overwhelmingly supported the actions below, which can help alleviate some of the financial burdens felt by our members who currently find themselves out of work.

Deferment of Collection of Initiation, Delinquency, and Other Installment Plans

• Receipt of a Local 600 2023 Work Slowdown Fund Hardship Fund Grant;
• Inability to qualify for Unemployment Insurance; or
• Have suffered financially from the 2023 WGA Strike (or any subsequent labor actions in the entertainment industry in 2023) to the degree that payments present a significant hardship.

*This deferral will not affect a member’s good standing. 
**This deferral will not affect a member’s delinquent status.

Apply for a Deferral

2023 Work Slowdown Hardship Fund

If you're affected by and experiencing financial hardship due to the current work stoppage you can apply for financial assistance through the Entertainment Community Fund and Local 600 Hardship Fund by visiting https://entertainmentcommunity.org/am-i-eligible-help. Only one application is needed. Once submitted, your application will be assessed for both funds. 

To establish eligibility through industry earnings, please provide your three most recent years of earnings that total up to a minimum of $6,500/year or more. This can be documented with a paystub showing a YTD at a minimum of $6,500, an annual W2, or by pulling a pension report from your MPI profile for each year (i.e., 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023). Tax returns are not accepted as verification of earned industry income.

Specific to the Hardship Fund, you will need either your 2023 membership card or a letter from Local 600 verifying you were in good standing as of January 2023. You can do this by emailing Accounting@icg600.com. Once you have the letter, you can upload it into the section that asks for 'Union Card.' 

Apply for Hardship Fund

Donate to the Hardship Fund

Second Round of Work Slowdown Hardship Grants Coming Soon
The NEB has allocated additional money for the Local 600 Work Slowdown Hardship grants. A second round of Work Slowdown Hardship grants will be made available and announced soon. The date the second Hardship Grants applications open will be announced soon. Please do not contact the Entertainment Community Fund about applying for a second grant until a date and an application has been announced.

Dues Opt-Out for 4th Quarter 2023 + 1st Quarter 2024

Resources from the Entertainment Community Fund, MPTF and First Entertainment Credit Union

Health Insurance Options When You Don't Qualify for MPI [VIDEOS]

Western Region
Annette Greene from Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions (EHIS), a joint program of the Entertainment Community Fund and MPTF, led an online presentation followed by a Q&A with Local 600 members in California on Tuesday, August 8, over Zoom. The presentation covered the basics of Covered CA, plan options, how premiums are calculated, and how to enroll. View slides from the presentation. If you are a California resident who could not make the August 8 webinar, Local 705 held a Town Hall where Annette Greene gave a presentation outlining options for IATSE members who may be in danger of losing MPI health coverage. View the video presentation here. 

Eastern Region
On Monday, August 21, Renata Marinaro, LMSW, National Director of Health Services for the Entertainment Community Fund, gave an online presentation for Eastern Region members who don't qualify for MPI and are looking for affordable healthcare coverage options. View the video presenation here. 

MPTF: Stepping Up in an Urgent Time of Need

If you are in need of financial assistance due to the work stoppage or seeking aid in concern to your physical or mental health, please call the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) at (323) 634-3888. Help is available.

Hardship & Strike Assistance from First Entertainment Credit Union

Members in need of financial assistance can look to First Entertainment Credit Union for help. They offer many resources including:

• Skip-A-Pay
  • Enables eligible members to defer a monthly payment on their Auto or Personal Loan without impacting their credit rating.
• Stretch Loans
  • A low-cost alternative to cover unexpected expenses and bills and easily bridge the gap between paychecks.
• Emergency Loan Relief
  • Apply for a special Emergency Relief Loan with autopay from a First Entertainment Checking Account.

Mental Health Support at Your Fingertips

Resources from the Entertainment Community Fund, Motion Picture and Television Fund, Behind the Scenes, and more are available to members and their loved ones who find themselves in need of mental health support. Don't be afraid to reach out and seek help. Learn more.

Region-Specific Resources Available

Whether you are looking for unemployment information or health and human services related information, we've got you covered. Check out the state-by-state lists of resources available:

Eastern Region
Central Region
Western Region