A coalition of Hollywood's lower-tier unions gathered on Sunday, putting their latest contract negotiations at the forefront. They issued a historic strike threat against the Motion Picture and Television Producers Guild if their demands are not met. This potential strike looms in the wake of the industry writers' and actors' two strikes in 2023. Details are outlined below.👇
Hollywood union leaders cautioned studios that if crew contracts are not agreed upon before the July 31 deadline, there's a possibility of another strike this summer. Speaking to over 2,000 union members at Woodley Park in Encino on Sunday, International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien emphasized the need for unions to hold their ground and not extend the agreement.
O’Brien expressed no fear in taking the route of a strike. He stated that greedy companies like Amazon, Netflix, Sony, and Disney risk a strike if they fail to reward their members. 'We will leave them on their backs, bring them to their knees, and they will beg for mercy,' added O’Brien.
Negotiations officially commenced, and there is hope for positive outcomes for the well-being of the film industry. Negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are scheduled to begin on Monday. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts will collectively bargain on health and retirement benefits.
In the following months, IATSE, Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts will separately negotiate their agreements. The goal is to secure approvals before the expiration of the current agreements.
During the rally, IATSE's International President, Matthew Loeb, struck a slightly more moderate tone than O’Brien. He emphasized the need for sharing, stating, 'There's enough to share.' Loeb emphasized that the benefits should alleviate the pressure on their jobs, allowing them to enjoy family life without enduring 80-hour workweeks. He also expressed the desire to reap the rewards of artificial intelligence advancements.
As Hollywood craftsmen celebrated a weekend of events, including the Acie Eddies, ASC Awards, and Golden Reel Awards, concerns about the IATSE contract negotiations were palpable. The industry, still reeling from the impact of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last summer and fall, has not fully recovered, with many lower-tier crew members struggling to find work last year.
This year's negotiations are expected to focus on wage increases and 'quality of life' issues related to hours worked on set. These include meal penalties and turnaround times. Vincent stressed, 'No one should be at risk on a film set,' emphasizing that decisions affecting human life cannot be compromised for financial or scheduling considerations.