As a dedicated fan of the hardworking men and women in the entertainment industry represented by Local 399 and the Hollywood Basic Crafts, I wholeheartedly support their unwavering stance during these contract negotiations. Their commitment to securing fair wages, benefit plan funding, and addressing issues related to artificial intelligence and staffing minimums is commendable.
The Teamsters Local and Hollywood Basic Crafts labor coalition are expressing concern that they and the major studios and streaming services have significant differences to overcome in their ongoing contract talks regarding crucial matters.
In their Friday night update, Teamsters Local 399 reported on the ongoing negotiations, initiated on June 10, addressing topics such as wages, benefit plan financing, artificial intelligence, and staffing minimums. Known as the Hollywood Teamsters, they are currently handling two separate agreements for their members as well as a collective one within the five-union Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition. The update noted, “Despite four weeks of discussions, we’re still quite distant on our primary concerns before entering the final round of negotiations set to begin next week. We have consistently expressed the fairness of our proposals, with some having minimal or no financial impact on employers but yielding significant benefits for our members.”
I’ve attempted to contact the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the organization that represents significant entertainment industry businesses, for their perspective on the matter at hand.
The negotiations between the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts are scheduled to end on July 19. Their current contracts are due to expire on July 31. The Teamsters have notified the studios that they’re open to scheduling additional meetings after the 19th, but they won’t renew their agreements beyond the expiration date in late July.
Approximately 8,000 workers in the Hollywood crafting industry are collectively represented by The Hollywood Basic Crafts. This union comprises of Local 399, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, UA Local 78, and OPCMIA Local 755. Among these workers are drivers, location managers, electricians, and plasterers.
To date, the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts have adopted a firm stance during their contract discussions in 2022. In late June, Lindsay Dougherty, chairperson of the Hollywood Basic Crafts, along with four other leaders, stated that their employers were displaying a “nonchalant attitude” towards the negotiations. Early July brought a declaration from the Hollywood Basic Crafts that their members would not bear the brunt of their companies’ financial mismanagement over the previous year. In an earlier interview with THR, Dougherty, who heads Local 399, expressed her intent to take a more assertive approach during this round of bargaining.
In their recent communication on Friday, Local 399 made it clear that their determination to advocate for crucial matters should not be underestimated. They emphasized that their members, who are among the lowest-paid in production, deserve recognition. If employers wish to discuss the financial implications of having Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts on set, Local 399 will continue to highlight the significant value these workers bring.
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2024-07-13 22:54