Editors Guild Taps Scott George As New National Executive Director, Replacing Cathy Repola

The Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) will have a changing of the guard next year, as Scott George will replace Cathy Repola as National Executive Director.

George, currently the Western Executive Director for the past eight years, will assume his new post on February 1, the union announced Thursday. Repola is retiring on January 31 after eight years at the helm of the bargaining unit.

“Serving as National Executive Director of Local 700 has been the great honor of my career, and I am immensely pleased to be handing the reins to Scott, whom I have mentored and worked with for many years, and who is so passionate about the labor movement,” Repola said in a statement.

IATSE Local 700 is the second-largest of the 13 Hollywood IATSE locals. In a statement of his own, Editors Guild President Alan Heim said: “Now more than ever, unionism is vital to protect the interests of workers in our rapidly changing industry. The passing of the baton from Cathy to Scott ensures strong, stable leadership of the Guild for many years to come.”

George is a third-generation member of IATSE Local 683 and previously served as the business representative for the local, leading its merger with the Editors Guild in 2010. George, who began his carer on laboratory shop floors, joined Editors Guild staff after the merger.

“I want to thank the Editors Guild Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity,” George said in a statement. “I am both humbled and honored to lead the Local as we tackle the unparalleled challenges currently facing our membership, such as the contraction of work opportunities and emerging technology. I look forward to working with the Board, the membership, and our staff to further strengthen our unwavering unity and define our continued growth as an organization.”

Repola has had a 32-year tenure with the Editors Guild that includes leading the union local through its most recent successful round of bargaining to secure a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.