Welcome to OPEIU Local 174

The Office and Professional Employees International Union was chartered in 1945 by the American Federation of Labor. At the time of its founding, the membership of the Union numbered 22,000.  The Union now counts 145,000 members and is one of the larger unions in the AFL-CIO. As it moves into its 57th year of chartered existence, the OPEIU has local unions functioning throughout the fifty states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia

The Union represents and bargains for both private and public sector professional and semiprofessional workers laboring in most of the major industries in the United States. The OPEIU is also affiliated with a number of state and national professional organizations.

OPEIU members work in industries varied as motion picture industry, banking, insurance, universities, shipping, hospitals and nursing homes, utilities, transportation, manufacturing, paper companies, hotels and many more. They are in positions as varied as computer programmers and operators, engineers, secretaries, nurses, accountants, attorneys, transit supervisors, security guards, bank tellers, administrative aides, quality control personnel, doctors, models, police and others.

Who Local 174 Represents:

OPEIU Local 174 is the Motion Picture Industry Union representing over 1700 workers employed in administrative support positions employed at Universal Studios, Uni Music Group, Universal Television, Fox Studios, Warner Bros Studios, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Motion Picture Health and Pension Plan, Cinematographers Guild Administration, Secretly Music Group, IATSE Training Trust Fund and Walt Disney Enterprises

OPEIU Local 174 members have gained major through the collective bargaining process in:

Wage Increases, Medical Benefits, Pension Benefits, Overtime Pay, Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Representation, Grievance and Arbitration, Temporary Job Placement and Job Referral Service.

Latest News

Bring Our Local 100 Brother Home and Give Him Due Process

Please take a few minutes to send a pre-written letter to your representative and senator: Tell them to demand SMART apprentice Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's return to the United States so he can receive due process!

  • 30 April 2025
  • Author: Mary Flynn
  • Number of views: 2

Background info: On March 31, 2025, the Trump administration conceded in a court filing that it had mistakenly deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a legally protected Maryland resident and father, to El Salvador “because of an administrative error." The administration is also arguing that because Abrego Garcia is now in Salvadoran custody, the government cannot return him to the United States. The Supreme Court has since unanimously backed a federal judge's order to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S.

Link to Letter here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/bring-our-local-100-brother-home-and-give-him-due-process

Kilmar is a SMART Local 100 first-year apprentice who currently works full-time to support his young family. He came to the United States as a teenager 15 years ago, and according to his attorneys, he was legally authorized to live and work in this country and had fully complied with his responsibilities under the law. He did not have a criminal record in the United States.

SMART is demanding that he is returned to his family so he can receive the due process that is his right. Please take a few minutes to ask your congressional representatives to do the same!

Constitution & Bylaws Amendments Approved. Thank You!

  • 30 April 2025
  • Author: Mary Flynn
  • Number of views: 2

Dear Members,

I'm proud to share that the vote to amend our Constitution and Bylaws has officially passed!

These important updates reflect the evolving needs and values of our union. Together, we’ve approved some bigger changes that include:

  • More gender-inclusive language throughout our governing documents

  • rotating schedule of in-person and virtual meetings for greater accessibility

  • Approval to review and implement a more equitable dues structure

  • And more!

This milestone was made possible by you, our members who showed up to vote in person on April 16, 2025 and those across the country who submitted their mail-in ballots. Your engagement is what drives this union forward.

Thank you for your commitment to democracy and solidarity. Together, we’re shaping the future of OPEIU Local 174.

In solidarity,

Lupe Valles

President and Business Manager

Tax Preparation Services

  • 30 April 2025
  • Author: Mary Flynn
  • Number of views: 2

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Contracts Secured and Universal City Studios and Universal Network Television

  • 29 April 2025
  • Author: Mary Flynn
  • Number of views: 12

Dear Local 174 Members,

 

I’m pleased to announce that your bargaining team has worked hard and got a three-year agreement with Universal that delivers real economic and workplace gains for our unit.

The agreement secures compounded wage increases totaling nearly 12% over the life of the contract, and when factoring in both wages and health contributions, your total compensation will rise by over 19% by the end of the contract term. We also gained recognition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday, as well as clearer language on probation, job classifications, and vacation eligibility. These items only reflect some of the gains for this new contract. This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress, delivering economic security, improved benefits, and stronger workplace rights.

We could not have achieved this without your unity, strength, and support throughout the process. The full MOA can be found on your Union Impact profiles, or you can email the office for a copy.

When we fight, we win!

In Solidarity,

Lupe Valles

Preseident and Business Manger OPEIU Local 174

CALL: Restore Federal Bargaining Rights Now

  • 29 April 2025
  • Author: Mary Flynn
  • Number of views: 8
On March 27, the Trump administration took its most blatantly anti-worker, anti-union action yet: an executive order stripping the right to organize from hundreds of thousands of federal workers at more than 30 agencies.  

Now representatives in Congress have introduced the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would overturn Trump’s executive order.


We are asking every single American who cares about the fundamental freedom of all workers to join a union to call their member of Congress right now. Fill out the form here to receive a call or dial 844-896-5059. Form: https://act.aflcio.org/call_campaigns/restore-federal-bargaining-rights-now/?source=website
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OPEIU Local 174 Current Leadership  

Lupe Valles, President/Business Manager

Marcia Alvarez, Vice President/Motion Picture Pension & Health Plan 

Richard Rosen, Secretary Treasurer/ ex. Warner Bros. Operations and Business Representative 

Michael Kanyer, Recording Secretary- Universal Studios 

Robert Kiel, ex. Trustee Sony Pictures

Jack McCrone, ex. MPIPHP

Mary Fujita, ex. Fox Studio Lot

Maria Smith, ex. Universal Television Network

Local 174 is restructuring so that we can overcome the challenges in the rapid development and adoption of technology we are faced with in our industry. We must be able to adapt to these changes so it is important that Local 174 move towards the modern way of communications. In the near future, we will be moving towards the elimination of mailings and posting all membership meeting notices on the website. All activity happening in  your union will also be posted on the website so please be sure you visit www.opeiu174.org. for updates. We are  are also moving towards creating google platforms so you are aware of what is happening at the bargaining table .   

We are looking forward to partnering with you on changing the face of this Local by Organizing New Members and Mobilizing our Membership. Your involvement is crucial, so we are asking all members to be actively involved in Membership Meetings, Shop Steward Trainings, and Contract Bargaining Committees.  If you have not updated you personal email and phone number, please do so by filling out the contact information on this website. 


 

 

 


Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s “compromise” to extend enhanced unemployment insurance by just one week is an insult to working people struggling to make ends meet. Call your senators today at (866) 832-1560 and tell them to protect working people and pass the HEROES Act.

Online Dues Payment

Local 174 Meetings

Third Wednesday on the months of January, April, July,  and October.

Member Benefits

Union Plus Mortgages

 

 

Local Toolbox

Contact Us
Local 174 Office

3100 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 203
Burbank, CA 91505
Telephone 818-842-5572 


Office Hours: 9:00AM - 5:00PM