UPDATED MARCH 2021
ADMISSION PROCEDURE FOR LOCAL 52 MEMBERSHIP
FACT SHEET

Posted for reference purposes only from Membership Application period of 2018.

The application period is currently closed.
We have NO plans to open for new membership applications in 2021.

When we do open for membership, we will update the website.
 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
 
Thank you for your interest in membership in Local 52.  We appreciate your commitment to your development and to promoting the highest global standards in the industry.
 
Local 52's mission is to cultivate and deliver the highest quality programs that validate mastery in the field and contribute to the continued improvement of individual and organizational performance.
 
This fact sheet will give you an overview.  With this information, which includes eligibility requirements for each craft, you can better set and achieve your goals. It also outlines the body of knowledge that you are expected to understand and upon which you will be tested to earn your union card. In addition, this fact sheet provides detailed information to guide you through the entire process.
 
Local 52 welcomes your questions as you prepare.  We wish you success as you pursue your goals.
 
Wm. Dusty Klatt
President

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
 
I.A.T.S.E., Local 52 (“Local 52”) will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against its members or applicants for membership with regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected category covered by law. Consistent with Local 52’s Constitution and By-Laws, should a Local member, officer, Executive Board member, or employee be found to have engaged in harassing, discriminatory, or retaliatory behavior in violation of this policy, such violation shall be referred to the Executive Board for appropriate action, up to and including a warning, fine, suspension, or expulsion from membership.

Local 52 has a formal Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy, and a formal Complaint Procedure which can be found here  {Click here to view the Policy}
 
CONTACT INFO
Mary Tonkin, CDP
HR Director of Operations and Diversity
Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52 IATSE
19-02 Steinway Street
Astoria, NY 11105

Phone: 718-906-9440 ext. 151 – please read the Admissions Procedure completely before calling the office.
Email: hrdirector@ialocal52.org – email is the preferred method of communication after you have read the procedures completely.

  

INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL 52 MEMBERSHIP
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
Q. Why should I join the union?
A:  In addition to counting yourself among the talented members of this Local, the Local provides supplemental welfare and retirement benefits, including disability benefits,  family leave benefits, retirement benefits and death benefits.  These benefits are only available to Local 52 members in good standing.
 
Q. What job titles are represented by Local 52?
A:  Local 52 is divided into the following seven “crafts” that perform different functions on a production:  Property, Grip, Electric, Shop Craft, Sound, Video, and Allied/Medic.  Follow the links below to see job descriptions for the various jobs we do, organized by craft:
 
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
Gaffer
Rigging Gaffer
Best Boy Electric
Shop Electric
Rigging Electric
Dimmer Board Operator
Base Camp Generator Operator
Generator Operator
Lamp Operator
 
 
GRIP DEPARTMENT
Key Grip
Best Boy Grip
Key Rigging Grip
Key Construction Grip
Best Boy Construction
Dolly Grip
 
 
MEDIC/ALLIED DEPARTMENT
First Aid Employee
 
 
PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
Property Master
Special Effects
Set Dresser 
Set Decorator
GreensPerson
LeadPerson
 
 
SHOP CRAFT DEPARTMENT
Shop Craftsman 

 
SOUND DEPARTMENT
Production Sound Mixer
Boom Operator
Sound Utility Technician
 
 
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
24 Frame Technician
 
 

Q. What are the requirements to join Local 52?
A:  The requirements for membership in Local 52 are:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old at application submission date. 

• Applicants must meet and provide proof that they meet the residency requirements of the IATSE –- see details later in the fact sheet. 

• Applicants must pay the appropriate fees, listed later in the fact sheet. 

• OSHA 10 hour safety and Construction Certificate (not the General Industry Certificate) - This online OSHA 10 hour course provides training for workers and employers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards.  This class is not offered at Local 52 but can be taken by approved vendors.  All certificates must be current and remain current throughout the admissions process.  For admissions purposes we consider cards expired 3 years from date of issue, even if they are marked NEVER EXPIRE.    {Click here for a list of recommended vendors.}

• Aerial Lift certification - A = AERIAL LIFT / SCISSOR LIFT CLASS –  Aerial lifts, also known as boom lifts, bucket trucks, and cherry pickers, are used throughout the film industry.  The most common accidents and fatalities related to aerial lifts are electrocution and falls which represent more than half of OSHA reported fatalities.  To prevent these types of injuries OSHA requires employees to receive training on aerial lifts before using them in the workplace. This class is not offered at Local 52 but can be taken by approved vendors.  All certificates must be current and remain current throughout the admissions process.  For admissions purposes we consider cards expired 3 years from date of issue, even if they are marked NEVER EXPIRE.  {Click here for a list of recommended vendors.}

• See additional certifications needed for Grip and Medic Craft, below 
   

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CRAFT SPECIFIC INFORMATION

GRIP CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY

RECOMMENDED: Experience in the field, construction background, comfortable working from extremely high heights.  REQUIRED: None

• Applicants with 799 or less MPIPHP hours will be required to take Local 52 Grip Classes, as space permits and after successful completion of the classes they will be scheduled for the Local 52 Grip Exam.
• Applicants with 800 + MPIPHP hours will be scheduled for the Local 52 Grip Exam, as space permits.

LOCAL 52 GRIP CLASSES will take place over 4 weeks with 2 classes per week a lecture and a practical each week.

The cost for these 8 days of classes is included in the $1,000 application fee. 

LOCAL 52 GRIP EXAM: The exam consists of a Practical and a Written Exam.

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY: 
RECOMMENDED:   Experience in the field, basic knowledge of electricity.  REQUIRED: None.

• Applicants with 799 or less MPIPHP hours will be required to take Local 52 Electric Classes, as space permits and after successful completion of the classes they will be scheduled for the Local 52 Electric Exam.

• Applicants with 800 + MPIPHP hours OR 3,000 hours or more over 5 years working in an approved equipment rental house, within the past 7 years will be scheduled for the Local 52 Electric Exam, as space permits.

The following equipment rental houses will be accepted:  Arri Rental (Secaucus, N.J.), Eastern Effects (Brooklyn), Feature System (Moonachie, N.J.), Insight Equipment Incorporated (L.I.C., N.Y), Luna Lighting (Greenpoint, N.Y.), Xeno Lights (Manhattan), Sene Lease Effects (Brooklyn), KAS Lighting (Astoria), Available Light (N.Y.) and Sourcemaker (N.Y.).

LOCAL 52 ELECTRIC CLASSES will take place over 8 weeks –– 2 classes per week a lecture and a practical.

The cost for these 16 days of classes is included in the $1,000 application fee.  

LOCAL 52 ELECTRIC EXAM: The exam consists of a Practical and a Written Exam.

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MEDIC – ALLIED CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY:

• 20 days on set plus:

• Current RN license OR paramedic certification with 5 years work experience (either 911 system pre-hospital or Emergency Care in-hospital experience)

• Current CPR Card *

• Current Malpractice Insurance *

• Wilderness Certificate for those without recent RN or paramedic experience within the last 4 years *

• First Aid review class scheduled by Local 52 for successful applicants

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PROPERTY CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY:  None.  

• Applicants with 799 or less MPIPHP hours will be required to take Local 52 Property Craft Classes, described below, scheduled as space permits and after successful completion of the classes they will be scheduled for the Local 52 Property Exam.

• Applicants with 800 + MPIPHP hours will be directly scheduled for the Local 52 Property Exam, as space permits.

LOCAL 52 PROPERTY CLASSES will take place over 2 days. The cost for these 2 days of classes is included in the $1,000 application fee.  At the completion of the class all students will be provided with a Local 52 Property Department Study Guide.  The Study Guide needs to be returned on the day of the written exam.

WEAPONS SAFETY CLASS all eligible applicants will be required to have a Weapons Safety certificate that has been issued in the past 3 years.  Those applicants that do not have this certificate will be scheduled for the class which takes place at a vendor offsite, is scheduled by the HR Department and has a cost of $200.

LOCAL 52 PROPERTY EXAM: The exam consists of a Practical and a Written Exam.
 

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SHOP CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY: RECOMMENDED:   Experience in the field, demonstration of safe use of hand tools and power saws. REQUIRED: None.

• Applicants with 799 or less MPIPHP hours will be required to take Local 52 Shop Craft Classes, as space permits and after successful completion of the classes, applicants will be scheduled for the Local 52 Shop Craft Exam.

• Applicants with 800 + MPIPHP hours will be scheduled for the Local 52 Shop Craft Exam, as space permits.

LOCAL 52 SHOP CRAFT CLASSES will take place over 4 days.

The cost for these 16 days of classes is included in the $1,000 application fee.  

LOCAL 52 SHOP CRAFT EXAM: The exam consists of a Practical and a Written Exam.
 

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SOUND CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY: REQUIRED: 800 hours working in a professional audio department on commercial grade videos

• Applicants will be scheduled for the Local 52 Sound Craft Exam, as space permits.

LOCAL 52 SOUND CRAFT EXAM: The exam consists of a Practical and a Written Exam.

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VIDEO CRAFT

HOURS/EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY: REQUIRED: Associates or BA/BFA accepted in the field of Communications, Video   or Computer Science OR 2,000 hours or more over 5 years working in an established technical firm (e.g., Apple, Microsoft) working in their video department on commercial grade videos OR 800 hours working in a professional audio department on commercial grade videos

• Applicants will be scheduled for the Local 52 Video Craft Exam, as space permits.

LOCAL 52 VIDEO CRAFT EXAM: The exam consists of a Written Exam.

Q. What is the Residency Requirement?

A: As per the IATSE, there is an 18-month residency requirement in LOCAL 52 jurisdiction, prior to application opening date.             


Q. What is Local 52’s Jurisdiction?  

A: New York State, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania (excluding Pittsburgh), Connecticut.

Q. What proof of residency does an Applicant need to produce?

A: Applicants need to produce a state-issued driver’s license/ state-issued photo ID within Local 52’s Jurisdiction valid for an 18-month period preceding the Application Date.  Applicants who are unable to produce these documents may alternately produce documents acceptable on the USCIS Form I-9, for identity purposes only.  (Click link here for a list of documents that establish identity).

Applicants who cannot show a state-issued driver’s license/ state-issued photo ID covering the previous 18 months may show a current state-issued driver’s license/ state-issued photo ID (or other acceptable proof of identity as outlined above) AND

o Original payroll stubs

o Mortgage statements

o Utility bills (e.g., gas, electric, water, cable)

o Banking statements, etc.

These documents must include the applicant’s name and address.  

Documents that show Proof of residency will not be submitted online.  If you are invited to make an official application, you will be required to present these documents in person. 

Q. How do I apply for Membership with Local 52?

The information below is for reference purpose only for the Membership applications which were accepted in 2018.  Local 52 will NOT be accepting applications in 2020.

Q. What documentation is necessary to file an application for membership with Local 52?

A:  Each applicant must have the following when filing for Local 52 membership:

• Proof of Certifications (OSHA, aerial lift, forklift, wilderness), as specified for each craft, as applicable.

• Proof of Identity.

• Proof of 18-month residency in Local 52 jurisdiction is required.  You will not be required to upload to the website

Once an official application is made, applicants will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have the requisite number of payroll hours with MPIPHP, if necessary, for their craft.  Local 52 will contact the MPIPHP (Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans) on behalf of all applicants to verify this information.  

Q. Are there any costs associated with membership in Local 52?

A:  Yes, there are fees to apply, and once you become eligible to become a member, there are membership fees, initial and annually thereafter.

Q. What is the cost of filing an application?

A: The Filing Fee is $1,000.00.  This allows for an approved applicant to take an exam two times.   If you fail the exam two times, you may pay an additional $250 which will allow you to sit for the exam 2 more times.

The Filing Fee for Medics and Allied Crafts is $150, instead of $1,000.

Q.  What are the fees associated with membership?

A:  Upon successfully completing the Craft Test and other eligibility requirements, the following Local 52 Union fees will apply, PAYABLE BEFORE BEING SWORN INTO MEMBERSHIP: 

INITIATION FEE                                              $4,200.00

CURRENT DUES AND INSURANCE           $    69.00– (quarterly)

ONE TIME BENEFIT FUND DONATION    $  _10.00

                                  TOTAL DUE                    $4,279.00

Q. How may I pay the fees?

A:  Local 52 accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, money order, certified check, and cashier's check.  Checks must be made payable to Local 52 in American currency and drawn on a U.S. bank.  Cash or personal checks are not accepted.

Q. Who manages the Application Process at Local 52?

A: Jeanne Stewart, the Director of Human Resources and Diversity, who can be reached at 718-906-9440 x150, and through the following email address:  hrdirector@ialocal52.org.

Q. Does Local 52 offer any educational training to help applicants learn the crafts?

A:  Local 52 is committed to providing ongoing training for applicants interested in each of the Crafts.  This program may consist of educational seminars, classes, and hands on participation in the applicant’s category of choice. 

Q. If my application is approved, what do I need to do to schedule myself to take the Local 52 craft exams or classes?

A:  If approved, you will receive notification regarding the Local 52 Educational classes, testing procedures and the schedule for both.

Q. Why might a online submission be denied?

A: Your online application may be denied for several reasons, including:

• Incomplete application

• Missing documentation

• Failure to meet eligibility requirements 

• The applicant is under 18 or is not a resident of a Local 52 jurisdiction

• The work experience included in the application fails to meet the eligibility requirements

• The candidate is missing certifications of completion required for that craft; or;

• Information on the application was falsified or misrepresented.

If you receive notification from Local 52 denying your application, you may appeal this decision in writing to Local 52.  To initiate an appeal, follow the instructions on the Application Eligibility Appeal Procedure that can be found here and submit the required documents within ten (10) business days of receipt of the application decision.

Local 52 will review the appeal and render a decision within ten (10) business days after the appeal is received. 

Q. What if there is inclement weather on the day of my scheduled exam?

A:  If there is severe weather at the testing center, a local emergency or a national emergency near the testing center, go to www.iatselocal52.org for updates on closures or delays.

Q. What happens if I do not show up for the test?

A:  You are considered a "no show" and will receive a failing on the exam and will not receive a refund if you:

• Arrive late on the exam day.

• Do not show up for the exam.

• Do not have proper identification or certificates. 

If any of these events occurs, the applicant will be considered an exam failure.

Q. What if I have a Medical Emergency?

A:  You may request a deferment if you have a medical emergency which prevents you from attending your exam appointment.   You must send an email request and supporting documentation of the medical emergency to the Director HR and Diversity within thirty (30) days of the end of the testing period to be considered for a deferment. The Director of HR and Diversity will review each request and inform you of the decision via email. Requests sent after this timeframe will not be considered.

A medical emergency is an unplanned medical event that prevents you from taking the exam and occurs within seventy-two (72) hours of the exam date.  A medical emergency may apply to yourself or to one of your immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent as defined by the Family Medical Leave Act.) Minor medical events or personal obligations that may happen on or near the exam date are not considered medical emergencies.

Q. How do I prepare for the Exam?

A: No two candidates come to the exam with the same knowledge base, as experience and educational background vary. Most candidates spend time studying and preparing for the exams. The exams measure how well a candidate can apply his/her knowledge and experience. Therefore, it is not possible to train for or teach to the exam by reading certain books or memorizing specific information.  Certain Crafts have mandated training to prepare applicants for the exams.

Q. What if I need a Special Testing Accommodation?

A:  Local 52 complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to accommodate candidates who need special arrangements to take our exams and classes.

As early as possible prior to exam day, you must submit your request to allow the Local 52 to evaluate and make the requested accommodation. 

Q. What can I expect on Exam Day?

A:  Only approved candidates are admitted access to take the exams.  Upon arrival, candidates must present proof of their identity.  You will be informed in email/letter and by the instructors for Local 52 training what to expect and what you should bring to the test site on exam day.

Q. What form of ID will I need to be allowed to take the exam?

A: The following are acceptable forms of government-issued identification:

• Valid driver's license or state issued non-driver id card

• Valid military identification card

• Valid passport

• Valid national identification card

You must have proper identification to take the exam. If your primary ID does not have your photo or signature, you must show a second ID that contains the information that is missing. The name on the second ID must be the same as the name on the first ID.

The following are acceptable forms of secondary identification:

• Valid employer identification card

• Valid credit card with signature

• Valid bank card with photo

The following are not acceptable forms of identification: 

• Social Security card

• Library card 

If your last name is hyphenated, your ID must match at least one of the hyphenated last names. Additionally, your signature must match the signature on the ID, and the picture on the ID must match the person presenting it.

Note:  You will not be permitted to take the exam, and your fees will NOT be refunded if you do not have proper identification.