I.A.T.S.E. Local 728 Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians was chartered on May 15th, 1939.
Before Local 728 existed we were a part of I.A.T.S.E. Local 37, a Hollywood Local that encompassed several studio crafts. When some members of Local 37 (dubbed the "37 White Rats") grew restive and formed a rival union in protest of the collusion they believed existed between studio bosses, the I.A.T.S.E. and organized crime. the International Alliance broke up Local 37 and in 1939 created Locals 728, 727, 80 and 44.