So, after we’ve heard the rumblings at BTL, after it’s been blogged about elsewhere, today it became official: Tom Short, the president of the IA, announced his retirement today.

What’s left up in the air, however, is the next IA contract, since Short liked to conclude business early with the studios, coming to what he considered a reasonable accord, never calling for a strike, etc.

Whether that amity will remain with his predecessor, the already-named Matthew Loeb, in light of shrinking economic pies everywhere, and Hollywood’s ongoing “Year of Living Dangerously,” remains to be seen. But given that Loeb helped devise Short’s negotiating policies and tactics, it would appear the studios have little to worry about in the way of a IA walkout, anytime soon.

And speaking of pies, here’s a slice of the official IA announcement on Short’s upcoming “golden years:

IA PRESIDENT THOMAS C. SHORT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

SAN DIEGO, July 31 – Thomas C. Short, President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, announced his retirement here today, at the IA’s mid-Summer General Executive Board Meeting held at the Westin Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp district.

A member of the IA for over 40 years, and an elected official for the past 21 years, Short became President in 1994, and stated then that his goals were to make the IA a better organization and to provide the best representation possible for the entire membership in the US and Canada. He has accomplished many of his goals and exceeded more.

During Short’s tenure, the IA has become the largest entertainment union in the world with an increase in membership of more than 50%, covering over 400 Locals and more than 110,000 members in the US, Its territories, and Canada. As a result, the assets of the Alliance have increased to nearly $50 million and allowed the purchase of two buildings located in Toluca Lake, California, and Ontario, Canada. Under Short’s leadership, the union has been restructured to include five Divisions (Stage Craft, Motion Picture and Television Production, Organizing, Trade Show & Display Work, and Canadian Affairs), allowing for greater focus on the needs of various sectors of the membership.

When taking office in late 1994, the International held two term agreements: the Hollywood Basic Agreement and The League of American Theatres and Producers. Since that time the number of term agreements has increased to nearly 2,000, which has resulted in tremendous employment opportunities for IA members.

Short also oversaw the establishment of the Individual Account Plan on the West Coast that provides an additional retirement savings to nearly 35,000 members, and increases in the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plans to $5.5 billion, nearly four times above what it was prior to 1995. Likewise, the IATSE National Benefit Funds headquartered in New York City has reported a net increase in assets of 300% in the Pension Fund since 1994, increased participation three-fold in the Health and Welfare Fund, and tripled the Annuity Fund.

In 1999 after an 81-year absence from the IATSE, Short brought back into the IA fold the 3100-member United Scenic Artists Local 829. And after 32 years the IATSE regained its rightful seat on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO. The establishment of the IATSE-PAC has helped to engage the union in the political arena in an unprecedented way because of Short’s belief in the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships with city, state, and nationally elected officials. The IA has a flourishing relationship with Britain’s BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union), and an affiliation with UNI-MEI (the international media, entertainment and arts organization) which has enabled the Alliance to further engage with labor organizations from around the globe.

During Short’s tenure in office he has been recognized with the Lew Wasserman Spirit of Democracy Award, the DGA Honors Award, the Heart to Heart Award presented by Encore Community Services in New York City, the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s Silver Medallion Award, and the Actor’s Fund Medal of Honor.

Said Short in a parting statement, “I have put forth my energy and every effort to enrich this organization and enlisted the help of what I believe to be a phenomenal staff of intelligent, sophisticated and progressive individuals who have stood ready to work hard and assist in accomplishing the goals I believe we had to achieve in order to survive the many challenges facing this International.”