John Lindley Re-elected as National President of IATSE Local 600
John Lindley has been re-elected as the national president of the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600). This marks his return to the position he previously held from March 2020 until June 2022. During his previous term, he was notably focused on enhancing set safety protocols in the aftermath of the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
Election Overview
After initially opting not to run for re-election in 2022, Lindley’s return demonstrates a renewed commitment to the Guild and its members. He succeeds Baird Benton Steptoe Sr. as president.
The recent elections saw a participation rate of 35.6% among eligible voters. Lindley secured a total of 1,482 votes, outpacing his competitors: Dave Perkal with 685 votes and Steptoe, who was seeking re-election, with 591 votes. It is important to note that these results are provisional pending validation by the local election committee, with a final confirmation scheduled for the outgoing national executive board meeting on June 21.
New Leadership Structure
In addition to Lindley’s election, Jamie Silverstein will be serving as the national vice president for the Eastern region, having run unopposed. Silverstein previously held the position of national assistant secretary-treasurer. The membership also re-elected a slate of national executive officers:
- Deborah Lipman as first national vice president (Central region)
- Mark Weingartner as second national vice president (Western region)
- Stephen Wong as national secretary-treasurer (Western region)
- Betsy Peoples as national sergeant-at-arms (Central region)
- Selene Preston as national assistant secretary-treasurer (Eastern region)
These newly-elected officers will serve a three-year term, extending from June 2025 to June 2028.
Guild Context and Future Prospects
IATSE Local 600 stands as the largest of the 13 locals operating under the IATSE Basic Agreement, a contract that was last ratified in 2024, following strikes involving the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA. Reflecting on the election, Alex Tonisson, the national executive director of the ICG, stated, “This election marks the next chapter for our Guild, and I am confident that our newly-elected member leaders will bring the vision, experience, and unwavering commitment to guide Local 600 during these turbulent times.”