After taking the temperature on how labor talks were going with Teamsters’ Lindsay Dougherty, Deadline Strike Talk podcast co-hosts Billy Ray and Todd Garner get into things this week with Mike Miller, the VP and Director of Motion Pictures for IATSE.
Miller sounds some encouraging notes here. Acknowledging that his members and everyone else has been beaten up by the six-month shutdown of last year coming on the heels of the pandemic, he has found those on the other side of the table to be putting across a better vibe than in past negotiations. He believes his membership is concerned with job security and stability, as well as economic and physical health. But he makes it clear that that is no sign of weakness. IATSE members have no shortage of resolve toward getting a fair deal.
As was anticipated, all 13 West Coast Studio Locals have now reached tentative agreements with the AMPTP.
Miller sounds some encouraging notes here. Acknowledging that his members and everyone else has been beaten up by the six-month shutdown of last year coming on the heels of the pandemic, he has found those on the other side of the table to be putting across a better vibe than in past negotiations. He believes his membership is concerned with job security and stability, as well as economic and physical health. But he makes it clear that that is no sign of weakness. IATSE members have no shortage of resolve toward getting a fair deal.
As was anticipated, all 13 West Coast Studio Locals have now reached tentative agreements with the AMPTP.
- 4/26/2024
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Freelance casting assistants are seeking to be unionized under the Teamsters.
Teamsters Locals 399 and 817 on Thursday proposed voluntary recognition of freelance casting assistants to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Separately, the union is also seeking the same recognition from Netflix, which is has its own casting director agreement through its production arm, Storybuilders, LLC.
If approved by the studios, the two locals would serve as joint bargaining representation for the casting assistants by including them in the existing unionized casting department.
“Teamsters have long represented the Casting Directors and Associate Casting Directors of Los Angeles and New York. It is reasonable and right to see the Freelance Casting Assistants stand together to seek representation as well,” Lindsay Dougherty, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Motion Picture Division Director, said in a statement. “By unionizing, the Casting Assistants are able to work towards securing the protections,...
Teamsters Locals 399 and 817 on Thursday proposed voluntary recognition of freelance casting assistants to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Separately, the union is also seeking the same recognition from Netflix, which is has its own casting director agreement through its production arm, Storybuilders, LLC.
If approved by the studios, the two locals would serve as joint bargaining representation for the casting assistants by including them in the existing unionized casting department.
“Teamsters have long represented the Casting Directors and Associate Casting Directors of Los Angeles and New York. It is reasonable and right to see the Freelance Casting Assistants stand together to seek representation as well,” Lindsay Dougherty, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Motion Picture Division Director, said in a statement. “By unionizing, the Casting Assistants are able to work towards securing the protections,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Freelance casting assistants are launching an attempt to unionize with the Teamsters.
Nearly 150 New York- and Los Angeles-based casting assistants are supporting the drive to unionize with Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Local 817, the former union announced on Thursday. The group has requested voluntary recognition from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood companies in collective bargaining and negotiates a casting director agreement with the Teamsters, and Netflix, which has its own casting director contract with the union. By taking this two-pronged approach, the Teamsters are seeking to represent casting assistants working on projects associated with most major Hollywood companies.
With this organizing drive, the Teamsters also appear to be attempting to fill out the union’s representation of the casting department: Locals 399 and 817 already represent casting directors and associate casting directors, but non-union casting assistants also have an “integral role in production,” Local 399 stated.
“Teamsters...
Nearly 150 New York- and Los Angeles-based casting assistants are supporting the drive to unionize with Teamsters Local 399 and Teamsters Local 817, the former union announced on Thursday. The group has requested voluntary recognition from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood companies in collective bargaining and negotiates a casting director agreement with the Teamsters, and Netflix, which has its own casting director contract with the union. By taking this two-pronged approach, the Teamsters are seeking to represent casting assistants working on projects associated with most major Hollywood companies.
With this organizing drive, the Teamsters also appear to be attempting to fill out the union’s representation of the casting department: Locals 399 and 817 already represent casting directors and associate casting directors, but non-union casting assistants also have an “integral role in production,” Local 399 stated.
“Teamsters...
- 4/25/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IATSE is looking to wrap up local-specific negotiations with the studios this week before the guild turns its attention to general contract talks.
There are just three locals left to strike tentative deals with the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers on craft issues. Locals 44 and 705 are slated to begin talks Monday, and Local 884 will be the last to start bargaining, likely later in the week.
Deadline hears local talks should be done by the end of the week in order to give the negotiating committee another week of caucusing before heading into bargaining for the Basic Agreement on April 29.
So far, things have been going quite smoothly for IATSE, prompting a “feeling of momentum that these negotiations have gone in some cases like clockwork,” a union source tells Deadline.
“Right now, there’s a feeling like both sides came to negotiate a deal and that’s what we’re seeing play out,...
There are just three locals left to strike tentative deals with the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers on craft issues. Locals 44 and 705 are slated to begin talks Monday, and Local 884 will be the last to start bargaining, likely later in the week.
Deadline hears local talks should be done by the end of the week in order to give the negotiating committee another week of caucusing before heading into bargaining for the Basic Agreement on April 29.
So far, things have been going quite smoothly for IATSE, prompting a “feeling of momentum that these negotiations have gone in some cases like clockwork,” a union source tells Deadline.
“Right now, there’s a feeling like both sides came to negotiate a deal and that’s what we’re seeing play out,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The writers strike ended seven months ago, but memories of the picket lines were fresh at the WGA Awards tonight.
“The strike is over, the fight goes on,” said former Wgaw President David Goodman at the Hollywood Palladium. “As individuals we’re replaceable, but as a union we’re irreplaceable.”
As the guild gave out awards to scribes, speaker after speaker brought up the 148-day WGA strike as well as the SAG-AFTRA strike.
From Wgaw President Meredith Stiehm to Hollywood Teamster Chief Lindsay Dougherty to Goodman and fellow Morgan Cox honoree Chris Keyser and even Drew Carey, the strike was a constant topic.
Related: The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host
Even AMPTP President Carol Lombardini made an appearance to talk strike — sort of. A photo of Lombardini appeared on screen with a mouthpiece full of sarcasm and mocking remarks about the studios...
“The strike is over, the fight goes on,” said former Wgaw President David Goodman at the Hollywood Palladium. “As individuals we’re replaceable, but as a union we’re irreplaceable.”
As the guild gave out awards to scribes, speaker after speaker brought up the 148-day WGA strike as well as the SAG-AFTRA strike.
From Wgaw President Meredith Stiehm to Hollywood Teamster Chief Lindsay Dougherty to Goodman and fellow Morgan Cox honoree Chris Keyser and even Drew Carey, the strike was a constant topic.
Related: The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host
Even AMPTP President Carol Lombardini made an appearance to talk strike — sort of. A photo of Lombardini appeared on screen with a mouthpiece full of sarcasm and mocking remarks about the studios...
- 4/15/2024
- by Dominic Patten, Anthony D'Alessandro and Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Succession’ has gone out with one final bang: The HBO drama won two Writers Guild of America Awards on Sunday night — the most of any series — for best drama series and also for best drama episode. Creator Jesse Armstrong was on hand in New York to accept the award, while several of the show’s writers were also in LA to accept the honor.
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
They’re baaack. We retired Strike Talk, the Deadline podcast by Billy Ray and Todd Garner Deadline hatched to lend perspective and serve as a beacon of hope to the industry during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. We’ve put the band back together because a potential standoff between the signatories and the negotiators for the Teamster and IATSE guilds looms just up the road when their contracts expire July 31. Are the signatories going to repeat last year’s failed strategy of keeping the CEOs out of the room until too late to stop another disastrous Hollywood shut down? Ray and Garner pose that question to Lindsay Dougherty, who’s leading the negotiation for the Teamsters, and who here reveals she has not had even a passing chat with any of the CEOs that finally solved the last round of labor strife. Dougherty figured into the last strike when...
- 4/12/2024
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Niecy Nash-Betts, who recently won an Emmy for her role on Netflix’s “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” has signed on to host the Los Angeles portion of next month’s Writers Guild Awards. The 2024 event, which was pushed back in the wake of the Hollywood strikes, will take place on Saturday, April 14 at the Hollywood Palladium.
“A good writer is an actors’ greatest gift,” Nash-Betts said in a statement. Added L.A. awards exec producer Hugh Fink (“Saturday Night Live”): “Niecy Nash-Betts is the dream host for this year’s WGA Awards. Her brilliant performance in ‘Dahmer’ – as the courageous woman who helped take down a serial killer who ate his victims – is surprisingly a lot like negotiating with the AMPTP.”
Benn Fleishman of Avalon Harbor Entertainment is also a producer for this year’s WGA Awards in Los Angeles. Additional presenters scheduled to appear at this year’s L.
“A good writer is an actors’ greatest gift,” Nash-Betts said in a statement. Added L.A. awards exec producer Hugh Fink (“Saturday Night Live”): “Niecy Nash-Betts is the dream host for this year’s WGA Awards. Her brilliant performance in ‘Dahmer’ – as the courageous woman who helped take down a serial killer who ate his victims – is surprisingly a lot like negotiating with the AMPTP.”
Benn Fleishman of Avalon Harbor Entertainment is also a producer for this year’s WGA Awards in Los Angeles. Additional presenters scheduled to appear at this year’s L.
- 3/21/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
During the telecast for the 2024 Oscars ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel, in his opening monologue, addressed the current IATSE contract negotiations and the possibility of an impending strike, telling below-the-line workers: “Know that in your upcoming negotiations we will stand with you.”
After feting the nominees at the top of the awards show, Kimmel turned his opener towards the subject of last year’s work stoppages, praising the actors and writers resilience in getting contracts with fair protections from artificial intelligence, among other contract points.
“As pretentious and superficial as it can be, at its heart it’s a union town. It’s not just a bunch of heavily botox-ed, Hailey Bieber smoothie drinking, diabetes prescription abusing, gluten sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivery chihuahuas,” joked Kimmel. “This is a coalition of hard working, mentally tough American laborers, women and men who would 100 percent for sure die if we even had...
After feting the nominees at the top of the awards show, Kimmel turned his opener towards the subject of last year’s work stoppages, praising the actors and writers resilience in getting contracts with fair protections from artificial intelligence, among other contract points.
“As pretentious and superficial as it can be, at its heart it’s a union town. It’s not just a bunch of heavily botox-ed, Hailey Bieber smoothie drinking, diabetes prescription abusing, gluten sensitive nepo babies with perpetually shivery chihuahuas,” joked Kimmel. “This is a coalition of hard working, mentally tough American laborers, women and men who would 100 percent for sure die if we even had...
- 3/11/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Last summer, as unionized writers and actors were on strike for a combined six months against Hollywood studios, crew members marched and chanted by their side. On Sunday, the chants continued, as thousands of crew workers gathered for a Los Angeles rally ahead of Monday’s bargaining talks with Hollywood studios and streamers, the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. With one of Hollywood’s longest actors’ strikes to date behind us, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members earned pattern-breaking wage increases, AI protections,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
On March 4, major Hollywood crew unions began negotiating their health and pension benefits with studios and streamers, with Hollywood Teamsters head Lindsay Dougherty saying, “We will strike if we have to” during the talks. But some Los Angeles-area crewmembers say that, in the aftermath of the writers’ and actors’ walkouts in 2023, there doesn’t seem to be that much work to halt if their own stoppage is called.
Caught in a brutal industry contraction amid the demise of Peak TV, crewmembers describe an anemic return to production after the strikes, which is exacerbating problems for those who already had significantly fewer opportunities to work in 2023.
“There hasn’t been any real work,” says one location manager based in L.A., who didn’t work for seven and a half months during and after the strikes. “The industry is not back. What’s back is a few things that are doing...
Caught in a brutal industry contraction amid the demise of Peak TV, crewmembers describe an anemic return to production after the strikes, which is exacerbating problems for those who already had significantly fewer opportunities to work in 2023.
“There hasn’t been any real work,” says one location manager based in L.A., who didn’t work for seven and a half months during and after the strikes. “The industry is not back. What’s back is a few things that are doing...
- 3/6/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in the Deadline series Hollywood Contraction, which examines the job losses caused by ongoing, industrywide cost-cutting.
The Unity Rally on Sunday that was meant to fire up crew members before IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 begin negotiations with Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers served two important goals: it reminded below-the-line workers that union leaders will be dogged in their fight for better benefits and pension for members, and made it clear they’ll be ready to “shut it down, f*cking day one” if the talks don’t go their way.
But no matter how many times Local 399’s Lindsay Dougherty dropped an f-bomb or the crowd shouted “many crafts, one fight,” there was no mention of the real elephant in the room, er, parking lot — namely, how many (or few) crew members are actually working these days because of accelerated contraction in Hollywood.
The Unity Rally on Sunday that was meant to fire up crew members before IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 begin negotiations with Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers served two important goals: it reminded below-the-line workers that union leaders will be dogged in their fight for better benefits and pension for members, and made it clear they’ll be ready to “shut it down, f*cking day one” if the talks don’t go their way.
But no matter how many times Local 399’s Lindsay Dougherty dropped an f-bomb or the crowd shouted “many crafts, one fight,” there was no mention of the real elephant in the room, er, parking lot — namely, how many (or few) crew members are actually working these days because of accelerated contraction in Hollywood.
- 3/5/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
At the close of their first day of 2024 bargaining with studios and streamers, Hollywood’s major crew unions told members that talks are expected to continue for the rest of the week.
IATSE and the Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition (consisting of Locals with the Teamsters, Ibew, LiUNA!, Opcmia and UA) entered discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Monday starting around 2 p.m. over health and pension benefits. According to a social media update from IATSE on Monday night, the unions offered their initial proposals earlier that day and IATSE international president Matthew Loeb said in his opening remarks before the AMPTP, “Our folks understand the business they’re in, the sacrifices and precarious nature of employment, and they work within that environment anyway. But there’s no reason these companies can’t build in more protection, reliability and predictability that creates more security.”
The unions...
IATSE and the Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition (consisting of Locals with the Teamsters, Ibew, LiUNA!, Opcmia and UA) entered discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Monday starting around 2 p.m. over health and pension benefits. According to a social media update from IATSE on Monday night, the unions offered their initial proposals earlier that day and IATSE international president Matthew Loeb said in his opening remarks before the AMPTP, “Our folks understand the business they’re in, the sacrifices and precarious nature of employment, and they work within that environment anyway. But there’s no reason these companies can’t build in more protection, reliability and predictability that creates more security.”
The unions...
- 3/5/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A coalition of Hollywood’s below-the-line unions rallied Sunday on the eve of their latest contract negotiations. They threatened a historic strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers if their demands weren’t met. Such a work stoppage would follow a pair of strikes in 2023 by industry writers and actors that crippled the entertainment industry and have left it limping into the new year.
“I hope they’re paying attention right down the road at the AMPTP,” IATSE vp Michael Miller announced from the stage to the crowd of around 1,000 people at Woodley Park in Encino. (Nearly 1,000 more watched a livestream online.) He then invoked a slogan repeated throughout the event: “Nothing moves without the crew.”
For the first time since 1988, the Hollywood Basic Crafts group — which includes Teamsters Local 399, Ibew Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, Opcmia Local 755 and UA Local 78 — and the crew union IATSE are joining this...
“I hope they’re paying attention right down the road at the AMPTP,” IATSE vp Michael Miller announced from the stage to the crowd of around 1,000 people at Woodley Park in Encino. (Nearly 1,000 more watched a livestream online.) He then invoked a slogan repeated throughout the event: “Nothing moves without the crew.”
For the first time since 1988, the Hollywood Basic Crafts group — which includes Teamsters Local 399, Ibew Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, Opcmia Local 755 and UA Local 78 — and the crew union IATSE are joining this...
- 3/3/2024
- by Gary Baum and Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Using fiery language like “solidarity is the solution to corporate greed” and “if we don’t get what we want, we will shut it f–king down day one,” union leaders on Sunday held what was dubbed a “unity rally” to rev up crew workers before joint negotiations begin Monday between IATSE, Teamsters Local 399 and Hollywood Basic Crafts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Hundreds of workers from all facets of the below-the-line community, from electrical workers and plasterers to editors, costumers and script supervisors packed a park just west of the I-405 in Encino, CA. to gear up for what they hope will be a successful negotiation period with the studios.
This year’s bargaining cycle marks the first time since 1988 that IATSE, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits for their members under the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan.
Hundreds of workers from all facets of the below-the-line community, from electrical workers and plasterers to editors, costumers and script supervisors packed a park just west of the I-405 in Encino, CA. to gear up for what they hope will be a successful negotiation period with the studios.
This year’s bargaining cycle marks the first time since 1988 that IATSE, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits for their members under the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan.
- 3/3/2024
- by Lynette Rice and Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
In many ways, longtime International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees president Matthew Loeb is the personification of that Teddy Roosevelt adage of “speak softly, and carry a big stick” …well, maybe except for the speak softly part.
“From where I sit, this is really about security in an industry that is precarious already,” Loeb states of the upcoming talks starting March 4 with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on new three-year agreements. “A strike vote is always possible and I can’t rule it out,” the veteran union leader adds of the stakes involved for his members and the latest contract talks.
Heading into joint negotiations with studios with the Lindsay Dougherty-led Hollywood Teamsters and other crafts on Monday, Loeb arrived in LA earlier this week for last minute preparations with his team and other leaders. Fittingly, with support from all the other Guilds, Loeb also came...
“From where I sit, this is really about security in an industry that is precarious already,” Loeb states of the upcoming talks starting March 4 with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on new three-year agreements. “A strike vote is always possible and I can’t rule it out,” the veteran union leader adds of the stakes involved for his members and the latest contract talks.
Heading into joint negotiations with studios with the Lindsay Dougherty-led Hollywood Teamsters and other crafts on Monday, Loeb arrived in LA earlier this week for last minute preparations with his team and other leaders. Fittingly, with support from all the other Guilds, Loeb also came...
- 3/2/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
No one has said the word “strike” yet, but some of Hollywood’s strongest unions just flexed some serious muscle with the studios.
With their current contracts set to end on July 21, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Teamsters Local 399 will stand in together in solidarity in upcoming negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The sit-down with the Carol Lombardini-led AMPTP will begin March 4, sources tell Deadline.
Certain to set the stage for what could be another year of Tinseltown labor anxiety, IATSE and the Teamsters will be joined in talks on their shared Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan proposals by fellow Hollywood Basic Crafts groups the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (Ibew), Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!), United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA) and Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (Opcmia) Local 755.
Related: Hollywood Unions Show Solidarity...
With their current contracts set to end on July 21, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Teamsters Local 399 will stand in together in solidarity in upcoming negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The sit-down with the Carol Lombardini-led AMPTP will begin March 4, sources tell Deadline.
Certain to set the stage for what could be another year of Tinseltown labor anxiety, IATSE and the Teamsters will be joined in talks on their shared Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan proposals by fellow Hollywood Basic Crafts groups the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (Ibew), Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!), United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA) and Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (Opcmia) Local 755.
Related: Hollywood Unions Show Solidarity...
- 1/31/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
For the first time since 1988, IATSE, the Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts are teaming up to jointly negotiate their pension and health plans with the studios. The three unions will still individually negotiate their other contractual matters with the AMPTP.
The shared goal is to secure additional streaming-based funding mechanisms for the plans, increasing retirement accrual rates, and thwarting cuts to health coverage, the unions said in a joint statement shared with IndieWire. There is strength in numbers — and for Hollywood Basic Crafts, there is also now an expedited schedule. Joint talks on the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan (Mpiphp or MPI) will begin the first week of March.
Unlike writers, directors, and actors, crew members do not get direct residuals — there is instead a pool for their pension and health plans. It serves more than 75,000 active participants and retirees.
The unions each have their own specific issues to...
The shared goal is to secure additional streaming-based funding mechanisms for the plans, increasing retirement accrual rates, and thwarting cuts to health coverage, the unions said in a joint statement shared with IndieWire. There is strength in numbers — and for Hollywood Basic Crafts, there is also now an expedited schedule. Joint talks on the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan (Mpiphp or MPI) will begin the first week of March.
Unlike writers, directors, and actors, crew members do not get direct residuals — there is instead a pool for their pension and health plans. It serves more than 75,000 active participants and retirees.
The unions each have their own specific issues to...
- 1/31/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Hollywood’s top crew unions have announced that they will be bargaining their health and pension benefits together at the outset of their 2024 labor negotiations with studios and streamers.
IATSE and the Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition (which includes Teamsters Local 399) announced on Wednesday that they will jointly negotiate their Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan proposals with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers this year. Multiple sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that these talks will begin March 4, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Though the unions share health and pension plans, they haven’t come together to bargain changes to those plans since 1988, per the labor organizations. In recent years, the Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts have negotiated their benefits after IATSE bargained its Basic and Area Standards Agreements.
Following these joint benefit talks in 2024, IATSE will continue with negotiations for its Basic Agreement, covering 13 Hollywood Locals,...
IATSE and the Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition (which includes Teamsters Local 399) announced on Wednesday that they will jointly negotiate their Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan proposals with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers this year. Multiple sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that these talks will begin March 4, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Though the unions share health and pension plans, they haven’t come together to bargain changes to those plans since 1988, per the labor organizations. In recent years, the Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts have negotiated their benefits after IATSE bargained its Basic and Area Standards Agreements.
Following these joint benefit talks in 2024, IATSE will continue with negotiations for its Basic Agreement, covering 13 Hollywood Locals,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Hollywood unions are throwing their support behind the American Federation of Musicians as it begins its contract negotiations with the studios.
The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.
“All of Hollywood labor deserves to share in the value of what they create. Wgaw members stand with AFM as they bargain for a fair contract,” WGA West President Meredith Stiehm said in a statement of solidarity on Tuesday.
Her WGA East counterpart Lisa Takeuchi Cullen added: “We will never forget how AFM musicians used their incredible talent to uplift our members on picket lines throughout our 148-day strike. Now, as they head into negotiations with the AMPTP, we stand firmly by the side of every musician who records,...
The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.
“All of Hollywood labor deserves to share in the value of what they create. Wgaw members stand with AFM as they bargain for a fair contract,” WGA West President Meredith Stiehm said in a statement of solidarity on Tuesday.
Her WGA East counterpart Lisa Takeuchi Cullen added: “We will never forget how AFM musicians used their incredible talent to uplift our members on picket lines throughout our 148-day strike. Now, as they head into negotiations with the AMPTP, we stand firmly by the side of every musician who records,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The leader of the American Federation of Musicians proclaimed that Hollywood labor is “in a new era” as dozens of members of various entertainment unions came to the doorstep of studio labor negotiators in support of the start of his union’s contract negotiations on Monday.
As an early drizzle that morning turned into driving rain, members of the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 rallied in front of the Sherman Oaks offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers with picket signs, and a few umbrellas, in hand. To AFM’s chief negotiator and international president Tino Gagliardi, this kind of unity for musicians was unlike anything he’d seen in his time in union leadership. “We’re in a new era, especially in the American labor movement, with regard to everyone coalescing and coming together and collaborating in order to get what...
As an early drizzle that morning turned into driving rain, members of the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 rallied in front of the Sherman Oaks offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers with picket signs, and a few umbrellas, in hand. To AFM’s chief negotiator and international president Tino Gagliardi, this kind of unity for musicians was unlike anything he’d seen in his time in union leadership. “We’re in a new era, especially in the American labor movement, with regard to everyone coalescing and coming together and collaborating in order to get what...
- 1/22/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IATSE President Matthew Loeb did not mince words today when asked if his local unions were willing to strike if this spring’s contract negotiations with the AMPTP did not go well.
“Nothing’s off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they sapped us,” said Loeb to cheers at a CES panel of Hollywood labor leaders. “Everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months. My folks aren’t going to just settle.”
Despite the fact that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes dominated much of last year, Loeb said his membership is not strike-weary, but weary of the AMPTP’s tactics.
“Folks are fed up. And I don’t know what to call it, if it’s a post-Covid wake of dissatisfaction, but people are ready to fight and the studios would be ill advised...
“Nothing’s off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they sapped us,” said Loeb to cheers at a CES panel of Hollywood labor leaders. “Everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months. My folks aren’t going to just settle.”
Despite the fact that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes dominated much of last year, Loeb said his membership is not strike-weary, but weary of the AMPTP’s tactics.
“Folks are fed up. And I don’t know what to call it, if it’s a post-Covid wake of dissatisfaction, but people are ready to fight and the studios would be ill advised...
- 1/10/2024
- by Tom Tapp and Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
IATSE international president Matthew Loeb did not rule out a potential 2024 crew strike when several of his union’s contracts come due this year in an appearance on Tuesday.
“Nothing is off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they [studios] think they sapped us and everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months,” asserted the crew union leader of his organization’s upcoming Basic Agreement negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, set to start in early March. “My folks aren’t going to just settle.” He added, “Folks are fed up … People are ready to fight and the studios would be ill-advised to assume that they’ve weakened us to the point where we can’t .”
Teamsters motion picture division head Lindsay Dougherty, whose Local 399 has several contracts expiring in 2024, added,...
“Nothing is off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they [studios] think they sapped us and everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months,” asserted the crew union leader of his organization’s upcoming Basic Agreement negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, set to start in early March. “My folks aren’t going to just settle.” He added, “Folks are fed up … People are ready to fight and the studios would be ill-advised to assume that they’ve weakened us to the point where we can’t .”
Teamsters motion picture division head Lindsay Dougherty, whose Local 399 has several contracts expiring in 2024, added,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Returning for its second year, MPTF's fundraising telethon, Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews raised $786,512 on Saturday night to benefit the 100-year-old charity’s support of entertainment industry members in need, exceeding the original goal of $750K.
Tom Bergeron and Yvette Nicole Brown attend MPTF's Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood's Crews Telethon
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for MPTF
Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews aired live on Ktla (Channel 5 in Los Angeles) on December 9, with presenting sponsors City National Bank and UCLA Health leading the charge on the philanthropic endeavor. Yvette Nicole Brown and Tom Bergeron returned as hosts of the evening and served as two of the producers along with the return of producers Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond and Somebody Feed Phil) and David Wild (Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince and The 63rd...
Tom Bergeron and Yvette Nicole Brown attend MPTF's Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood's Crews Telethon
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for MPTF
Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews aired live on Ktla (Channel 5 in Los Angeles) on December 9, with presenting sponsors City National Bank and UCLA Health leading the charge on the philanthropic endeavor. Yvette Nicole Brown and Tom Bergeron returned as hosts of the evening and served as two of the producers along with the return of producers Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond and Somebody Feed Phil) and David Wild (Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince and The 63rd...
- 12/18/2023
- Look to the Stars
Writers returned to work two months ago, and the SAG-AFTRA strike has been over for nearly a month. Production has restarted but won’t be back to full strength until mid-January.
But even as Hollywood tries to return to normal, dark clouds are forming on the horizon. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees contract expires on July 31, as does the Basic Crafts contract, which covers the Teamsters.
In a period of rising union militancy across industries, it’s not clear whether the Hollywood studios have achieved lasting labor peace or just a temporary truce.
“We’re going to be demanding things we believe members deserve for the work they do,” says Lindsay Dougherty, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399. “We have to fix this stuff. Our members make Hollywood move.”
Both the studios and the below-the-line workforce — camera operators, lighting technicians, makeup artists and so on — have taken a hit...
But even as Hollywood tries to return to normal, dark clouds are forming on the horizon. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees contract expires on July 31, as does the Basic Crafts contract, which covers the Teamsters.
In a period of rising union militancy across industries, it’s not clear whether the Hollywood studios have achieved lasting labor peace or just a temporary truce.
“We’re going to be demanding things we believe members deserve for the work they do,” says Lindsay Dougherty, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399. “We have to fix this stuff. Our members make Hollywood move.”
Both the studios and the below-the-line workforce — camera operators, lighting technicians, makeup artists and so on — have taken a hit...
- 12/6/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
As the town flocked to picket lines during a historic 148-day writers strike and 118-day actors strike, moguls took a hit (looking at you, Bob Iger), stars made blunders (why, Drew Barrymore?) and others saw their stock rise (Lindsay Dougherty holds court next with the studios) …
Winners
Fran Drescher & Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
To be sure, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating team faced its challenges in 2023, from growing impatience in the industry over the length of its bargaining process to celebrity resistance to the union’s restrictive Halloween strike rules. Ultimately, though, Drescher in particular ably combated some of the criticism (openly discussing the heart-shaped plushie she brought to negotiations) and the union won a wide-reaching contract.
Ellen Stutzman
The WGA West assistant executive director was thrust into the spotlight in February when the union’s usual chief negotiator, David Young, stepped out on medical leave. Stutzman was named to take his place in negotiations,...
Winners
Fran Drescher & Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
To be sure, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating team faced its challenges in 2023, from growing impatience in the industry over the length of its bargaining process to celebrity resistance to the union’s restrictive Halloween strike rules. Ultimately, though, Drescher in particular ably combated some of the criticism (openly discussing the heart-shaped plushie she brought to negotiations) and the union won a wide-reaching contract.
Ellen Stutzman
The WGA West assistant executive director was thrust into the spotlight in February when the union’s usual chief negotiator, David Young, stepped out on medical leave. Stutzman was named to take his place in negotiations,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg, Gary Baum, Katie Kilkenny, Alex Weprin, Rick Porter, Caitlin Huston, Winston Cho and Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Teamsters, IATSE, the WGA West and SAG-AFTRA joined forces today to distribute boxes of food and other necessities to industry workers whose lives have been upended by the strikes that have shut down most production.
Volunteers held the drive-thru distribution event at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Santa Clarita, handing out boxes with food, dry goods, produce, baby food, diapers and other supplies.
All Hollywood Labor Is Welcome.
Come through for Free groceries...
Volunteers held the drive-thru distribution event at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Santa Clarita, handing out boxes with food, dry goods, produce, baby food, diapers and other supplies.
All Hollywood Labor Is Welcome.
Come through for Free groceries...
- 10/27/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
This is day 97 of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Teamsters Local 399 boss Lindsay Dougherty joined IATSE members on the picket line at Warner Bros. Wednesday to show support for SAG-AFTRA and to express her frustration over the AMPTP’s recent decision to suspend negotiations.
“They should be absolutely embarrassed about their behavior and what they’ve done to the workforce, and really … they should be removed from their positions,” she told Deadline. “It’s ultimately so devastating to our members to see this and to have hope. And then to have that … just taken away from them, which is essentially what these companies are counting on. You can see the complete devastation and to see us eat our own, so to speak, [by going] after SAG-AFTRA and saying, ‘go back to the table.’ Well, SAG-AFTRA wants to be at the table. They’re the ones that were at the table when the CEOs are irresponsibly laughing and again.
Teamsters Local 399 boss Lindsay Dougherty joined IATSE members on the picket line at Warner Bros. Wednesday to show support for SAG-AFTRA and to express her frustration over the AMPTP’s recent decision to suspend negotiations.
“They should be absolutely embarrassed about their behavior and what they’ve done to the workforce, and really … they should be removed from their positions,” she told Deadline. “It’s ultimately so devastating to our members to see this and to have hope. And then to have that … just taken away from them, which is essentially what these companies are counting on. You can see the complete devastation and to see us eat our own, so to speak, [by going] after SAG-AFTRA and saying, ‘go back to the table.’ Well, SAG-AFTRA wants to be at the table. They’re the ones that were at the table when the CEOs are irresponsibly laughing and again.
- 10/18/2023
- by Katie Campione and Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: A roster of talent including Jason Alexander, Jack Black, Lily Tomlin and Jeremy Allen White, among others, will join the Give Back-ular Spectacular! fundraising variety show to benefit the entire community of artists, craftspeople, technicians, production assistants and support staff facing financial difficulty due to the strikes.
Produced by Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane, Paul Scheer and more, The Give Back-ular Spectacular! set for October 25, 6 p.m., in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater will feature, in addition to those mentioned above, Rachel Bloom, LeVar Burton, Nicole Byer, Bryan Cranston, Lil Dicky, Lindsay Dougherty, Simon Helberg, Janelle James, Michael McKean, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, June Diane Raphael, Andrea Savage, Paul Scheer, Dax Shepard and Julian Velard.
The evening will consist of sketch comedy, stand-up, live interviews, musical performances, and more. Ticket and other information can be found here.
Previous, Sept. 7: Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman, actors Paul McCrane (ER) and...
Produced by Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane, Paul Scheer and more, The Give Back-ular Spectacular! set for October 25, 6 p.m., in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater will feature, in addition to those mentioned above, Rachel Bloom, LeVar Burton, Nicole Byer, Bryan Cranston, Lil Dicky, Lindsay Dougherty, Simon Helberg, Janelle James, Michael McKean, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, June Diane Raphael, Andrea Savage, Paul Scheer, Dax Shepard and Julian Velard.
The evening will consist of sketch comedy, stand-up, live interviews, musical performances, and more. Ticket and other information can be found here.
Previous, Sept. 7: Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman, actors Paul McCrane (ER) and...
- 9/27/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Give Back-ular Spectacular” is coming into focus.
Organizers for the live telethon-style fundraiser — set to take place at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 25 — have confirmed a roster of celebrity participants that includes (in alphabetical order) Jason Alexander, Jack Black, Rachel Bloom, LeVar Burton, Nicole Byer, Bryan Cranston, Lil Dicky, Lindsay Dougherty, Simon Helberg, Janelle James, Michael McKean, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, June Diane Raphael, Andrea Savage, Paul Scheer, Dax Shepard, Lily Tomlin, Julian Velard and Jeremy Allen White. The program is set to feature sketch comedy, stand-up, live interviews, musical performances and more.
As previously announced, the purpose is to “raise money for emergency financial relief for the entire community of artists, craftspeople, technicians, production assistants and support staff facing financial difficulty due to the strikes.”
The event is being produced by Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane, Robbie Rowe Tollin, Jesse Schiller, Paul Scheer, Tony Phelan, Tara Miele...
Organizers for the live telethon-style fundraiser — set to take place at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 25 — have confirmed a roster of celebrity participants that includes (in alphabetical order) Jason Alexander, Jack Black, Rachel Bloom, LeVar Burton, Nicole Byer, Bryan Cranston, Lil Dicky, Lindsay Dougherty, Simon Helberg, Janelle James, Michael McKean, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, June Diane Raphael, Andrea Savage, Paul Scheer, Dax Shepard, Lily Tomlin, Julian Velard and Jeremy Allen White. The program is set to feature sketch comedy, stand-up, live interviews, musical performances and more.
As previously announced, the purpose is to “raise money for emergency financial relief for the entire community of artists, craftspeople, technicians, production assistants and support staff facing financial difficulty due to the strikes.”
The event is being produced by Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane, Robbie Rowe Tollin, Jesse Schiller, Paul Scheer, Tony Phelan, Tara Miele...
- 9/27/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
President Joe Biden applauded the agreement as “a testament to the power of collective bargaining.”
Political leaders in the US and other industry labour organisations have been reacting to the tentative contract agreement between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood companies, casting the agreement as a hopeful development in what has been characterised as America’s ‘hot labour summer.’
President Joe Biden applauded the agreement as “a testament to the power of collective bargaining,” and made glancing reference to other groups currently involved in strike actions, like the SAG-AFTRA actors union and the United Auto Workers union.
“There...
Political leaders in the US and other industry labour organisations have been reacting to the tentative contract agreement between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood companies, casting the agreement as a hopeful development in what has been characterised as America’s ‘hot labour summer.’
President Joe Biden applauded the agreement as “a testament to the power of collective bargaining,” and made glancing reference to other groups currently involved in strike actions, like the SAG-AFTRA actors union and the United Auto Workers union.
“There...
- 9/26/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The Writers Guild of America’s announcement that it has reached a potentially strike-ending deal with Hollywood studios was met with cheers by entertainment union members, including the union that it shared picket lines with for months, SAG-AFTRA.
“SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines,” the actors’ guild said in a statement.
A more barbed statement came from Lindsay Dougherty, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 399, who praised the WGA for their resilience while swiping at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in labor talks.
“The militancy of the writers holding the line and hitting the pavement exemplified their unwavering commitment to their core issues,” Dougherty wrote “Their fight has also inspired a renewed solidarity among Hollywood workers that will live long past this bargaining cycle.”
“Solidarity,...
“SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines,” the actors’ guild said in a statement.
A more barbed statement came from Lindsay Dougherty, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 399, who praised the WGA for their resilience while swiping at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in labor talks.
“The militancy of the writers holding the line and hitting the pavement exemplified their unwavering commitment to their core issues,” Dougherty wrote “Their fight has also inspired a renewed solidarity among Hollywood workers that will live long past this bargaining cycle.”
“Solidarity,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Larry Wilmore says “finally.” Greg Grunberg says “Mazel tov! Writers Strike Deal!!!”
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
- 9/25/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
As SAG-AFTRA clocked its 40th day on strike, the union’s chief negotiator has called for leaders of Hollywood’s major studios and streamers to step in to bring the sides to a new deal and get the industry back to work.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive secretary and its chief negotiator, said the union has had outreach from industry insiders who aim to help with basic communication between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
“There is some back-channeling going on but nothing formally from the AMPTP,” Crabtree-Ireland told Variety on Tuesday after the SAG-AFTRA held a Day of Solidarity rally next to the Disney lot in Burbank. The gathering drew several thousand participants to Keystone Street in Burbank, including local labor leaders and members of laborers union Liuna, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and stars of “The West Wing.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive secretary and its chief negotiator, said the union has had outreach from industry insiders who aim to help with basic communication between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
“There is some back-channeling going on but nothing formally from the AMPTP,” Crabtree-Ireland told Variety on Tuesday after the SAG-AFTRA held a Day of Solidarity rally next to the Disney lot in Burbank. The gathering drew several thousand participants to Keystone Street in Burbank, including local labor leaders and members of laborers union Liuna, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and stars of “The West Wing.
- 8/22/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Thousands of union members braved a beating sun on Tuesday outside Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, as SAG-AFTRA brought out speakers including Kerry Washington, Martin Sheen and Ron Perlman as well as such labor leaders as Lindsay Dougherty, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Joely Fisher as part of its National Day of Solidarity rally.
Burbank police officers, who closed off residential streets in the area, estimated Tuesday’s crowd to be between 1,500-2,000, but organizers SAG-AFTRA expected as many as 5,000 to attend the event, which served as a rallying cry for the Writers Guild of America and the performers union during their ongoing strikes as well as a show of solidarity with those — including the Teamsters and IATSE — whose contracts are up in 2024.
“The eyes of the world are watching, but more importantly, the American worker is watching. And like us, they are saying ‘Enough.’ Enough to low wages...
Burbank police officers, who closed off residential streets in the area, estimated Tuesday’s crowd to be between 1,500-2,000, but organizers SAG-AFTRA expected as many as 5,000 to attend the event, which served as a rallying cry for the Writers Guild of America and the performers union during their ongoing strikes as well as a show of solidarity with those — including the Teamsters and IATSE — whose contracts are up in 2024.
“The eyes of the world are watching, but more importantly, the American worker is watching. And like us, they are saying ‘Enough.’ Enough to low wages...
- 8/22/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated with latest expected attendees: SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles Local and the Writers Guild of America will hold a “National Day of Solidarity” rally Tuesday outside Disney Studios.
“SAG-AFTRA and WGA will join forces with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates from across the nation and across industries for a National Day of Solidarity,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “In this ‘Summer of Strikes,’ working Americans everywhere are fighting for fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions and protections from encroaching technology. Together, we are showing corporate America that when we fight, we win!”
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, and the Writers Guild since May 2. The rally will start Tuesday at 10 am Pt.
Among those scheduled to speak at the rally include SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler.
Others scheduled to attend...
“SAG-AFTRA and WGA will join forces with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates from across the nation and across industries for a National Day of Solidarity,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “In this ‘Summer of Strikes,’ working Americans everywhere are fighting for fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions and protections from encroaching technology. Together, we are showing corporate America that when we fight, we win!”
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, and the Writers Guild since May 2. The rally will start Tuesday at 10 am Pt.
Among those scheduled to speak at the rally include SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler.
Others scheduled to attend...
- 8/22/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans — which provides benefits to a significant number of union members in the entertainment business — is offering health insurance eligibility assistance amid a double strike that has made qualifying challenging for many workers in the business.
Certain industry workers will be granted additional qualifying hours so that they can remain eligible for health insurance during the work stoppages, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Typically union members who are already participants of the Plan must work at least 400 hours in a six-month period to maintain their benefits. With two strikes having essentially shut down scripted union production in the U.S. since May, this criteria has become increasingly difficult for many to meet. Per the changes, workers will receive up to 201 credited hours to qualify for health insurance, depending on the qualifying period that applies to them.
To qualify, workers must be enrolled in the...
Certain industry workers will be granted additional qualifying hours so that they can remain eligible for health insurance during the work stoppages, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Typically union members who are already participants of the Plan must work at least 400 hours in a six-month period to maintain their benefits. With two strikes having essentially shut down scripted union production in the U.S. since May, this criteria has become increasingly difficult for many to meet. Per the changes, workers will receive up to 201 credited hours to qualify for health insurance, depending on the qualifying period that applies to them.
To qualify, workers must be enrolled in the...
- 8/1/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Teamsters Leaders Slam Hollywood & Wall Street At Amazon Picket Line: “They Don’t Care About People”
“Look who’s running Hollywood right now, corporate America,” declared Teamster president Sean O’Brien on the WGA and SAG-AFTRA picket line outside Amazon’s LA HQ. Big corporations, they don’t care about their people. They care about the bottom line and the balance sheet,” he added with Hollywood Teamster leader Lindsay Dougherty by his side.
“This is a historic moment in our industry, hasn’t happened since 1960,” Dougherty stated, noting the last time the writers and actors went on strike together when Ronald Reagan ran SAG. “But, it goes to show that workers are not happy with their current conditions…with big tech, infiltrating our industry as well as the streaming companies, we need to take back what’s ours.”
“We are the largest, strongest union in the entire country,” O’Brien said of the 1.3 million Teamsters members. “We have the ability to shut this country down,” he went...
“This is a historic moment in our industry, hasn’t happened since 1960,” Dougherty stated, noting the last time the writers and actors went on strike together when Ronald Reagan ran SAG. “But, it goes to show that workers are not happy with their current conditions…with big tech, infiltrating our industry as well as the streaming companies, we need to take back what’s ours.”
“We are the largest, strongest union in the entire country,” O’Brien said of the 1.3 million Teamsters members. “We have the ability to shut this country down,” he went...
- 7/19/2023
- by Dominic Patten and Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
“The. Fucking. Nanny.” That’s how Writers Guild of America West board member Liz Alper effectively summed up how members of the striking union felt about SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher’s impassioned comments Thursday afternoon when the guild formally announced plans to strike after contract talks with the studios and streamers broke down after four weeks of negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who joined Drescher at the podium at SAG’s Miracle Mile headquarters, said the national board “unanimously voted to issue a strike order” Thursday morning. The 160,000-member performers union will join the 11,000-plus members of the WGA on the picket lines starting Friday, marking the first dual strike in Hollywood in more than six decades.
“They’ve recognized, as writers have, that the studios have broken the business and are calling the studios to account,” one showrunner told The Hollywood Reporter following the SAG-AFTRA news conference.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who joined Drescher at the podium at SAG’s Miracle Mile headquarters, said the national board “unanimously voted to issue a strike order” Thursday morning. The 160,000-member performers union will join the 11,000-plus members of the WGA on the picket lines starting Friday, marking the first dual strike in Hollywood in more than six decades.
“They’ve recognized, as writers have, that the studios have broken the business and are calling the studios to account,” one showrunner told The Hollywood Reporter following the SAG-AFTRA news conference.
- 7/13/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a joint statement today, unions IATSE, Teamsters, the DGA, and the WGA East and West extended “unwavering support and solidarity” with SAG-AFTRA in the ongoing contract negotiations with producers.
“Hollywood must be a place where every worker, on-screen and off, is treated according to the value their skills and talents command,” the statement reads, in part (see the complete text below). “While the studios have collective worth of trillions of dollars, billions of viewers globally, and sky-high profits, this fight is not about actors against the studios, but rather about workers across all crafts and departments in the industry standing together to prevent mega-corporations from eroding the conditions we fought decades to achieve.”
The unions “call on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to immediately acknowledge the contributions of performers and negotiate a suitable contract with their union.”
The current SAG-AFTRA agreement is set to...
“Hollywood must be a place where every worker, on-screen and off, is treated according to the value their skills and talents command,” the statement reads, in part (see the complete text below). “While the studios have collective worth of trillions of dollars, billions of viewers globally, and sky-high profits, this fight is not about actors against the studios, but rather about workers across all crafts and departments in the industry standing together to prevent mega-corporations from eroding the conditions we fought decades to achieve.”
The unions “call on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to immediately acknowledge the contributions of performers and negotiate a suitable contract with their union.”
The current SAG-AFTRA agreement is set to...
- 7/12/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Members of Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399 have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a pair of contracts with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, thus averting a threatened strike. Earlier this month, Lindsay Dougherty, the local’s principal officer, threatened to take “a commercial break” if the AICP didn’t offer a fair contract. “If we are provoked,” she said, “we will strike.”
The new three-year contract covering drivers, wranglers, animal handlers/trainers and hyphenated drivers was approved by a margin of 94.12%, while the contract covering location scouts and managers was approved by a margin of 96.9%. The two agreements, reached last week, cover about 500 members who work regularly in commercials, though more than 1,000 Local 399 members have worked at least one-day in the last year under the pacts.
“This contract fight has set a strong tone as we prepare for bargaining with the AMPTP next year,” Dougherty said Friday. “Teamsters don’t back...
The new three-year contract covering drivers, wranglers, animal handlers/trainers and hyphenated drivers was approved by a margin of 94.12%, while the contract covering location scouts and managers was approved by a margin of 96.9%. The two agreements, reached last week, cover about 500 members who work regularly in commercials, though more than 1,000 Local 399 members have worked at least one-day in the last year under the pacts.
“This contract fight has set a strong tone as we prepare for bargaining with the AMPTP next year,” Dougherty said Friday. “Teamsters don’t back...
- 7/1/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Deadline’s Strike Talk podcast is now in its ninth week, coming at a critical day with the expiration of the SAG-AFTRA contract. Deadline has revealed a high likelihood that the union agrees to kick the can down the road and beyond the holidays, but the tension is growing after more than 1000 major actors signed a solidarity letter that they are serious and will go on strike. That development would put every part of Hollywood in a deep sleep, because there will be no one to make projects, or promote the ones that are done. The Emmys also are threatened.
This week on Strike Talk, host Billy Ray holds court with Lindsay Dougherty, leader of the Hollywood Teamsters. This after Ray explores union sensibilities going back to ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, and the ancient connection between writers, truck drivers and laborers the world over.
This week on Strike Talk, host Billy Ray holds court with Lindsay Dougherty, leader of the Hollywood Teamsters. This after Ray explores union sensibilities going back to ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, and the ancient connection between writers, truck drivers and laborers the world over.
- 6/30/2023
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has approved a $2 million fund to support motion picture Teamsters impacted by the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, which is now in its 56th day. The aid package was approved unanimously by the Ibt’s General Executive Board.
“We can’t rely on employers to protect and support our members,” said Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien. “Teamsters protect Teamsters. This money will go to support hardworking families.”
“The studios and tech companies should be ashamed of themselves for playing games with people’s livelihoods,” said Lindsay Dougherty, Director of the Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division and Western Region Vice President. “We are committed to making sure our members are protected and getting this money into their hands as soon as possible.” Dougherty is also secretary-treasurer and chief executive office of Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399.
The Ibt says that the Motion Picture and...
“We can’t rely on employers to protect and support our members,” said Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien. “Teamsters protect Teamsters. This money will go to support hardworking families.”
“The studios and tech companies should be ashamed of themselves for playing games with people’s livelihoods,” said Lindsay Dougherty, Director of the Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division and Western Region Vice President. “We are committed to making sure our members are protected and getting this money into their hands as soon as possible.” Dougherty is also secretary-treasurer and chief executive office of Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399.
The Ibt says that the Motion Picture and...
- 6/26/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters union is allocating $2 million to aid members that are in financial straits amid the ongoing writers’ strike.
The labor organization, which represents drivers, location managers and casting directors, among others in entertainment, will be creating a fund to assist members in need after its general executive board unanimously approved the action. Particular eligibility criteria have yet to be announced, but the fund will be dedicated to all Teamsters that work in the entertainment industry, the union announced on Monday.
“We can’t rely on employers to protect and support our members,” the union’s general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “Teamsters protect Teamsters. This money will go to support hardworking families.”
Fellow entertainment crew union IATSE announced that it was directing the same amount to a series of established industry charities earlier this month in order to help its members facing tough times.
The labor organization, which represents drivers, location managers and casting directors, among others in entertainment, will be creating a fund to assist members in need after its general executive board unanimously approved the action. Particular eligibility criteria have yet to be announced, but the fund will be dedicated to all Teamsters that work in the entertainment industry, the union announced on Monday.
“We can’t rely on employers to protect and support our members,” the union’s general president Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “Teamsters protect Teamsters. This money will go to support hardworking families.”
Fellow entertainment crew union IATSE announced that it was directing the same amount to a series of established industry charities earlier this month in order to help its members facing tough times.
- 6/26/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399 has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Independent Commercial Producers on terms for two three-year contracts, thus averting a threatened strike.
One of the contracts covers drivers, wranglers, animal handlers/trainers and hyphenated drivers. The other covers location scout/managers in commercials. The union’s current contracts had both been set to expire June 30.
Overall, there are about 500 of the local’s members who work regularly in commercials, although more than 1,000 of the its members have worked at least one-day under the contracts over the last year.
Earlier this month, Lindsay Dougherty, the local’s principal officer, threatened to take “a commercial break” if the AICP didn’t offer a fair contract. “If we are provoked,” she said, “we will strike.”
In the wake of the new deal she said that “We are happy that we were able to reach a tentative agreement...
One of the contracts covers drivers, wranglers, animal handlers/trainers and hyphenated drivers. The other covers location scout/managers in commercials. The union’s current contracts had both been set to expire June 30.
Overall, there are about 500 of the local’s members who work regularly in commercials, although more than 1,000 of the its members have worked at least one-day under the contracts over the last year.
Earlier this month, Lindsay Dougherty, the local’s principal officer, threatened to take “a commercial break” if the AICP didn’t offer a fair contract. “If we are provoked,” she said, “we will strike.”
In the wake of the new deal she said that “We are happy that we were able to reach a tentative agreement...
- 6/23/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
“They’re Scared”: 5,000-Plus Demonstrators Rally in L.A. to Support Writers Strike, Pressure Studios
Over 5,000 writers and supporters descended on the mid-Wilshire neighborhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday to rally support during the eighth week of the Writers Guild of America labor stoppage.
The “WGA Strong” rally featured spirited and sometimes expletive-filled speeches from the likes of I’m a Virgo writer-director Boots Riley, WGA negotiating committee member Adam Conover and Teamsters Local 399 leader Lindsay Dougherty, as well as a musical performance from singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc (who pointedly sang, at one point, “I Need a Dollar”). The overall message to writers, who are now 51 days into their first strike in 15 years? Hollywood labor is behind you.
The event also served as something of a flex to the industry. “We are out here today to tell the companies how strong we are,” said WGA negotiating committee member Conover (The G Word), who acted as the rally’s emcee. He added, “Carol [Lombardini, the president of the AMPTP] didn’t plan for how strong we are.
The “WGA Strong” rally featured spirited and sometimes expletive-filled speeches from the likes of I’m a Virgo writer-director Boots Riley, WGA negotiating committee member Adam Conover and Teamsters Local 399 leader Lindsay Dougherty, as well as a musical performance from singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc (who pointedly sang, at one point, “I Need a Dollar”). The overall message to writers, who are now 51 days into their first strike in 15 years? Hollywood labor is behind you.
The event also served as something of a flex to the industry. “We are out here today to tell the companies how strong we are,” said WGA negotiating committee member Conover (The G Word), who acted as the rally’s emcee. He added, “Carol [Lombardini, the president of the AMPTP] didn’t plan for how strong we are.
- 6/21/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny and Xennia Hamilton
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There’s a festival feel at the La Brea Tar Pits with live performances from Aloe Blacc and Boots Riley.
Blacc said that he was there to sing for the writers and that he wishes “there was more I could do for you” but that he stands in “solidarity”, while Riley performed an acapella song called Everything after saying “the whole world is looking at us and we can’t let them down” (see clips below).
But while there’s live music, the sense of injustice from the thousand-plus writers attending the WGA Strong March and Rally for a Fair Contract was even louder.
Adam Conover, the Wgaw Board and Negotiating Committee Member who organized the event, drew large cheers when he pointed out that the writers were being supported by a slew of other unions, including actors, directors, drivers, janitors and strippers.
“Corporate greed” has been the main message...
Blacc said that he was there to sing for the writers and that he wishes “there was more I could do for you” but that he stands in “solidarity”, while Riley performed an acapella song called Everything after saying “the whole world is looking at us and we can’t let them down” (see clips below).
But while there’s live music, the sense of injustice from the thousand-plus writers attending the WGA Strong March and Rally for a Fair Contract was even louder.
Adam Conover, the Wgaw Board and Negotiating Committee Member who organized the event, drew large cheers when he pointed out that the writers were being supported by a slew of other unions, including actors, directors, drivers, janitors and strippers.
“Corporate greed” has been the main message...
- 6/21/2023
- by Katie Campione, Rosy Cordero and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Boots Riley brought the fire. Lindsay Dougherty brought the Teamsters. And top leaders of SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, American Federation of Musicians and other area unions gathered by the hundreds Wednesday to show solidarity with striking writers at the WGA Strong March and Rally for a Fair Contract held at the La Brea Tar Pits.
Riley, the auteur behind 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You” and the upcoming Amazon Prime series “I’m a Virgo,” noted that he was once a member of the Teamsters during his days working for Ups.
“We’re not just fighting for us right now. In the last three years there’s been over 2,900 strikes in the U.S.,” Riley told the cheering crowd. “They’re scared of what’s going on,” Riley said of American corporations. “They’re scared of how militant, how ready to fight we’ve become.”
Supporters walk past WGA West headquarters.
Dougherty,...
Riley, the auteur behind 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You” and the upcoming Amazon Prime series “I’m a Virgo,” noted that he was once a member of the Teamsters during his days working for Ups.
“We’re not just fighting for us right now. In the last three years there’s been over 2,900 strikes in the U.S.,” Riley told the cheering crowd. “They’re scared of what’s going on,” Riley said of American corporations. “They’re scared of how militant, how ready to fight we’ve become.”
Supporters walk past WGA West headquarters.
Dougherty,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton, Gene Maddaus, Selome Hailu and Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: As the Writers Guild strike enters its second month and the Directors Guild’s talks with the studios come down to the wire with looming SAG-AFTRA negotiations set to start next week, the under the radar battle between the Teamsters and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers could get explosive.
Demanding that the AICP return to the bargaining table Asap over wage increases, greater overtime compensation and more to avert a strike next month, Teamsters Local 399 have instituted a self-described “week of action” to kick things into high gear.
“Retroactivity is not a thing in the commercial world,” Local 399 VP and Chief Negotiator in commercials, Joshua Staheli told Deadline today of the Don’t Make Us Take A Commercial Break campaign. “Deals are made with ad agencies up front. The commercials producers can’t go back and change the terms after a project has wrapped. This means, anything...
Demanding that the AICP return to the bargaining table Asap over wage increases, greater overtime compensation and more to avert a strike next month, Teamsters Local 399 have instituted a self-described “week of action” to kick things into high gear.
“Retroactivity is not a thing in the commercial world,” Local 399 VP and Chief Negotiator in commercials, Joshua Staheli told Deadline today of the Don’t Make Us Take A Commercial Break campaign. “Deals are made with ad agencies up front. The commercials producers can’t go back and change the terms after a project has wrapped. This means, anything...
- 6/1/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The leaders of the Writers Guild, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Teamsters have issued a “joint statement of solidarity” with the Directors Guild in its final scheduled week of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, saying that they “stand alongside our sisters, brothers, and kin in the DGA in their pursuit of a fair contract.” Their statement comes on the 30th day of the ongoing WGA strike and 21 days after the DGA began its contract talks with the AMPTP.
“We believe in a Hollywood where every worker is valued and their contributions recognized, whether their labor is on or off screen,” the labor leaders said. “A fair contract for directors does not benefit just a select few; it uplifts every worker in the film and television industry and acknowledges the interconnected nature of our work. We call on the AMPTP to immediately negotiate a fair agreement...
“We believe in a Hollywood where every worker is valued and their contributions recognized, whether their labor is on or off screen,” the labor leaders said. “A fair contract for directors does not benefit just a select few; it uplifts every worker in the film and television industry and acknowledges the interconnected nature of our work. We call on the AMPTP to immediately negotiate a fair agreement...
- 5/31/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
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