Sean's Emergency Assistance Fund
Donation protected
Greetings everyone, my name is Sean Mason. Thanks for taking the time to read my story and consider a donation.
I'm a non-union Editor working in Los Angeles, working hard to keep my home and feed myself.
I'm an community organizer, activist, volunteer, and proud laborer.
I used to be a Universal Studios Tour Guide for five years, and in 2022 I was fortunate to book my first Editing gig.
The Union which represents Universal Studios Theme Park is IATSE Local B-192, of which I am still a loyal dues paying member.
I'm trying my best to survive, but as of now I'm getting broadsided on all flanks by factors out of my control, and I am in need of assistance.
For almost two years I've been working a 'new media' editing gig thinking I was going to be accruing the necessary prerequisite days for Local 700.
Unfortunately, my 309 total days of 'new media' work will not qualify me for membership. A setback, sure, but I'm looking forward to working more related gigs to reapply in the future!
Additionally, I've tried to apply for emergency assistance from the Motion Picture Television Fund as well as the Entertainment Community Fund.
My IATSE Local B-192 however, being that it constitutes as a 'Theme Park' Union, is NOT a qualified Union eligible for emergency assistance from either of these funds.
While it looks like the end of the Hollywood strikes are on the horizon I don't know when or where I'll be able to find industry work.
Not for lack of trying, mind you, there are simply a ton of folks looking to apply for fewer and fewer positions.
My savings is officially depleted.
Fortunately I was able to find minimum wage work through the holidays across multiple part-time jobs, but, again, a combination of factors are keeping finances depressed.
The minimum wage in La County is still $16.78, and in order for one to make rent on that wage one must always be working continuous 40 hour weeks for months upon months in a row without any end in sight. There exists no ability to save money on minimum wage. Many employers and CEOs are artificially defunding their Labor departments while also promoting record profits. The hours many of these minimum wage jobs offer are less than 20 hours per week, forcing folks like myself to obtain numerous part time jobs.
Onwards we march! And thank you for reading this far.
I've created a GoFundMe because I don't have many options left. I've tried to forecast what moving to a new city would entail & cost, however there exists no city within California or in adjacent States of Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, or Texas (or any of the 50 States for that matter) which a Federal minimum wage job can comfortably support one singular human life. Starting all over from scratch would also put me at a much larger disadvantage, and practically sever all of my support networks I've fostered over these many years.
So this GoFundMe is dedicated towards rent through the holidays. My portion of rent is $1050 per month, and practically all of what's raised will go directly to keeping a roof above my head for the holidays. The amount I am raising would give myself the opportunity to continue working my multiple minimum wage jobs across these next few months and help me save money for what may come!
Whatever additional is raised will go directly to food. My diet these days has consisted of a single meal at the end of a day with a small snack to tide me over through work. I used to fill up with a great meal thanks to the WGA & SAGAFTRA and other organizations providing food for folks on the Picket lines, but that option is quickly coming to a close as Labor Power wins more and more of their fights!
So, any amount helps!
Thank you again for reading my story, and thank you for considering donating.
If you have any questions or would like to get in contact with me, my door is always open!
'One day longer, one day stronger'
Solidarity forever!
-Sean Mason
-- Update --
(9/30/23)
I cannot begin to express my abundance of thanks to everyone who has donated! This is incredible. To everyone I met on the picket line and everyone donating through an act of solidarity, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! October rent is paid, and I'm saving for November!
This will allow me a solid foundation to keep working, saving, and building towards a more secure financial future. It's certainly been a challenging month, however the support from you all has been truly inspirational.
Our IATSE Local B-192 and UNITE HERE Local 11 recently held a coalition rally, and the LA Federation of Labor was graciously handing out boxes of assorted non-perishable foods! I got a box, and 'hot dog' there's some great meals to cook. Onwards we march!
Thank you all again! Solidarity forever! The workers will win!
-- Update --
(3/25/24)
Well we've officially made it into the new year!
Thanks to all of your generous assistance, I've accomplished a lot these past few months.
I've knocked on over 35,000 doors in my City Council district working for Jillian Burgos' campaign, propelling her to a General Election showdown in November! Here we are during one of our numerous weekends of canvassing.....
I've also found long term work at the Hollywood Pantages Theater, where we are close to locking our first union contract with IATSE Local B-192. Here we are in December leafletting outside during the red carpet show of MJ: The Musical......
Our leafletting event made the Hollywood Reporter:
News of our Tentative Agreement also made the Hollywood Reporter!
The primary election is over and for the time being the political campaigns are on hiatus. The Pantages Theater is also going dark for the month of April, and there will be no shows until May. Now after all the work I've put into successfully re-building my foundation I'm finding myself in between two simply coincidental variables.
I'm hoping to galvanize one final push to raise the remaining amount for my Emergency Assistance Fund! With your generous assistance having raised 2/3rds of my goal I've inspired thousands upon thousands of Angelinos towards building a sustainable & empathetic communities, I've stood in solidarity with my union comrades as we secured our very first tentative agreement, and I'm so excited for everything else I have planned through the rest of the year! I'm confident once I get past April I'll have built a solid foundation to weather any storm the AMPTP and greedy corporations choose to inflict upon us all.
As always, all solidarity with the workers. Thank you all again!
Organizer
Sean Mason
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA