‘The Pitt’ Production Assistants Launch Landmark Unionization Drive (Exclusive)

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Ever since its debut in January, “The Pitt” has been highly acclaimed for breathing new life into the hospital drama genre and for its exceptional depiction of medical scenarios with a striking level of realism.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m excited to share some unique news about our favorite show. For the first time, the behind-the-scenes crew is trying something exceptional – they’re aiming to form a union! This move is quite rare, but it shows their commitment to creating an even better gaming experience for us viewers.

The second season crew members of the show submitted a request for voluntary union recognition and filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This is the first public effort by Production Assistants United – a movement aimed at unionizing this category of workers across the country – to take place.

For the very first time, Production Assistants United organizer Ethan Ravens notes, we can confidently assert that PAs and assistants are joining together to form a union on a series similar to this within the film and television industry. This development is significant, he emphasizes, as it mirrors the efforts of other union leaders in this movement who, like him, have served as production assistants themselves. In essence, they’re making history.

The team associated with LiUNA Local 724, the Hollywood laborers’ union, has singled out nearly twenty individuals working on the show. This group includes all production assistants as well as various on-set support personnel such as personal and executive assistants.

One production assistant, who prefers to stay unnamed, expressed optimism about a union, stating, ‘I believe it will foster consistent, ongoing advancement.’ They added, ‘It’s important that we have representation. Unions aim to empower their members, ensuring they can express their views and concerns.’

According to Ravens, the employees are keen on discussing raises for their wages, as well as union-related health and retirement benefits, work turnaround times, including rest guarantees, and penalty fees regarding meals.

As a staunch advocate for fair labor rights, I, Alex Aguilar, proudly serve as secretary-treasurer of LiUNA Local 724. In my view, creative work is just as crucial as any other form of labor, and every worker deserves the same benefits, safeguards, and collective strength.

THR has reached out to Warner Bros. for comment.

According to Production Assistants United, a significant number – more than half, in fact – of the show’s production assistants and assistants have given their approval for union representation, thanks to unconventional organizing methods similar to those used during the successful union campaign at Amazon’s Staten Island warehouse.

For several weeks, organizers have set up a tent near a parking garage adjacent to the Warner Bros. studio lot where crew members and background actors typically park. The group has been arriving as early as 4:45 a.m. and staying until as late as 8 p.m., and they’ve been chatting with various crew members from The Pitt, who are easily identifiable because they wear scrubs (the uniform worn by The Pitt workers in case they appear on camera).

On the first day, things were calm according to organizer Clio Byrne-Gudding, but by the second day, team members started visiting the tent more frequently. The organizers initiated a petition for crew support and invited casual observers to talk to Production Assistants about the advantages of unionization. “This is how we began planting the seeds for the organizing movement from here when we couldn’t physically be near the set,” Byrne-Gudding explained.

The first day was peaceful, as stated by Clio Byrne-Gudding, but on the second day, team members started approaching the tent more seriously. The organizers launched a petition for crew support and invited people passing by to discuss with Production Assistants the benefits of unionization. “This is how we initiated the organizing effort from here since we couldn’t physically be near the set,” Byrne-Gudding clarified.)

By July 16, the organizers accumulated sufficient signatures on union cards to feel assured (or confident), they claim, that they had enough Personal Assistants and helpers backing their movement to win a formal union vote. Nonetheless, supporters express hope that their employers will opt to acknowledge the union voluntarily, thus avoiding the NLRB process.

As a passionate enthusiast, I can’t help but keep a keen eye on the unfolding events in the business world, especially those concerning early-career professionals like myself. While some animation production assistants have banded together under The Animation Guild, and freelance commercial production assistants are represented by The Production Workers Guild Local 111, it seems that live-action, scripted entertainment still remains largely non-union territory for PAs.

Byrne-Gudding is certain things won’t stay as they are for much longer. On Friday, they released a statement endorsed by fellow entertainment unions. Furthermore, after focusing on Warner Bros. projects based in L.A., the group has already mapped out strategies to establish their presence at other nearby studios.

It was anticipated that this would happen eventually, given the multiple attempts over the years to form unions among PAs and assistants,” they note. “Individuals who have endeavored to bring about such change have come to our group.” “What they seek are similar safeguards and financial guarantees enjoyed by union members.

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2025-07-26 00:24