Paramount Postproduction Staffers Facing Layoffs Claim Top Brass Is “Union Busting”

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As a seasoned gamer with a background in labor union activism within the gaming industry, I can empathize with these postproduction staffers at Paramount Global who are standing up against what they perceive as union busting tactics. Having witnessed similar situations in my own field, where companies seek to undermine unions for financial gain, I understand their frustration and determination.

A large number of workers from Paramount Global’s postproduction department have penned a letter to their higher-ups, expressing their disapproval over the upcoming job cuts and accusing the company of attempting to undermine the union.

Despite significant reductions in staff across the corporation as part of a broader strategy to save $500 million, employees from Paramount’s Digital Post Services division submitted a letter on October 28 to Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Phil Wiser, signifying the impending dismantling of their department. The affected team, comprising 38 members who are part of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, were previously advised in late September that their jobs would be terminated as of December 31, as reported by the union.

Expressing their dismay, the team members referred to the decision as a “deceitful act.” In the same day they learned about the layoffs, it appeared that jobs previously handled internally were being readied for assignment to external contractors. The letter continued, “We found ourselves taken aback, wondering…why?” It seems clear that this action amounts to “suppression of our union.” The twist is that this move occurs just after a series of industry strikes halted much work, followed closely by our own contract ratification, an effort aimed at sustaining the industry. Under such circumstances, we cannot stay silent.

The employees experiencing issues work across various departments such as editing, audio, color correction, quality assurance, digital reproduction, digital preservation, and data handling.

In June, it was announced by Paramount’s three co-CEOs that a significant cost-reduction plan would be implemented for the remainder of the year due to falling profits. A representative from Paramount Global explained to The Hollywood Reporter that, like others in our industry, we are not exempt from the challenges presented by the changing media environment. As we look towards the future, it’s necessary for us to take tough actions that might affect valued team members. The rep expressed their gratitude for these individuals’ contributions to Paramount Global.

During an interview, Cathy Repola, MPEG’s national executive director, stated that Paramount had informed employees and the union that the department was being closed for cost reduction reasons, which she interpreted as a sign that the work would be outsourced elsewhere. A union representative noted later that Paramount expanded its rationale for dismantling the unit. The workers accused the company of union-busting, believing that the decision was an attempt to eliminate the union department and transfer it to non-union locations, Repola explained further.

Repola stated that the union wasn’t given an initial chance to negotiate about the department’s dismantling. However, following numerous passionate emails I sent to the labor relations department, both parties have arranged a meeting to talk about this decision.

In summary, members of Repola have faced considerable professional hardships over the past few years. The work on union projects came to a standstill due to simultaneous writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023, and production never fully recovered afterward. Even after IATSE negotiated a new contract with film and television employers, avoiding a work stoppage this year, many members are struggling financially, losing their health insurance, being unable to pay rent, and even losing their homes. Repola expresses her concern, stating, “It’s been an incredibly difficult 18 months for so many people, and it’s hard not to feel the impact.” She promises her members that they will use all legal means at their disposal to help combat this situation.

In their correspondence, the team from Paramount asserted that their department consistently turns a profit, year after year. The postproduction team, in wrapping up their communication, requested that the decision be reversed and for their positions to be reinstated as soon as possible.

By mid-July, Shari Redstone gave her consent for the agreement to transfer significant stake of Paramount Global to a group headed by Skydance Media. Assuming regulatory approval, the deal is anticipated to be finalized in the year 2025.

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2024-10-30 00:00