Willis and Unions

I am sick and tired of reading lies in the press about how I earn my living. Bruce Willis insulted me and thousands of other professionals he works with every day by blaming unions for the exorbitant costs of making films.

Few of us earn more than $25 an hour (less than the plumber who makes repairs at my house), and my fringes include health insurance, retirement benefits and little else. We fly tourist, work any five days out of seven and spend months away from our families on location. The fringes that Willis takes for granted exceed the weekly salaries of many of the other “collaborators” he works with.

But you’re right, Bruce, it’s unions that have sent Hollywood production costs soaring, not star salaries. Perhaps you too can get elected President one day like your fellow Screen Actors Guild member Ronald Reagan. Please remember us little guys if you do.

TRISHA B. GALLAHER

IATSE Local 44

Santa Monica