International Association of Cinematographers Appoints New Country CEO – The Hollywood Reporter
The International Association of Cinematographers (IATSE Local 600) appointed Alex Tonisson as its new country chief executive on Saturday during an executive board meeting.
Originally hired as ICG’s West Region director in June 2019, Tonisson is a 19-year veteran of the labor movement who has served as the Association’s interim chief executive officer since the beginning. May. He succeeds Chaim Kantor, who has held the role on an interim basis since the resignation of country chief executive Rebecca Rhine last fall. (She is currently DGA’s Western executive.)
Tonisson said in a released statement, “I am delighted to have this opportunity to continue the important work that ICG does, including the vital support the Association provides throughout this industry. [Writers Guild] The strike has affected a lot of our members. In this pivotal moment of technology-driven change in cinema and the arts – I am honored to represent the best interests of our members, who include a number of individuals. the most brilliant, innovative and talented in our industry.”
The most recent IATSE Basic Agreement negotiation with AMPTP almost resulted in a warning in 2021. ICG is the largest of the 13 Local Companies operating under the agreement. IATSE is set to renegotiate that three-year contract in 2024.
Baird B. Steptoe Sr., country president of ICG said in a statement, “After working actively for the past four years with Alex on key member initiatives such as membership orientation. our store and store management programs, I know he will do a great job with the country. CEO, and I look forward to continuing the union work with him.”
Described as a 19-year veteran of the labor movement, Tonisson previously served as field service director for the International Federation of Technical and Professional Engineers, co-chair of the Golden Labor Union. Gate Bridge and was appointed a trustee of the City and the San Francisco County Citizens’ Government Obligation Bond Oversight Committee. He has worked as a senior political community organizer for the Service Employees International Union. According to Saturday’s announcement, in 2004, Tonisson helped pass the Mental Health Services Act as a Northern California field organizer in the California Proposition 63 campaign.
