Willis and Unions

Bruce Willis’ remarks that unions, presumably including his own Screen Actors Guild, have put a “gun to (the) head” of the producers and thereby become the chief reason for the atrocious costs of making movies were vicious, uncalled for and untrue (“Bruce & Joel’s Q & A Adventure,” May 19).

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes is the largest union in the entertainment field. Our people are so-called below-the-line employees: camera and sound crews, editors, electricians, grips, special-effects people and many others. Rather than increasing the costs of film production, IATSE, particularly in the last two negotiations with the producers, has made major moves to lessen costs.

IATSE President Alfred W. DiTolla has publicly proclaimed that the union will do everything in its power to assist the producers in cutting costs, while ensuring its members a decent wage. In 1990, the Hollywood locals of IATSE agreed to give back to the producers the 50 cents an hour that the latter were paying into health and welfare benefits, a return of $15 million to $20 million a year. Do you suppose we gave back that money to pay Willis’ salary?

MAC ST. JOHNS

Spokesman, IATSE

Sherman Oaks