The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a preliminary agreement on the Area Standards Contract, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing labor negotiations within the entertainment industry. This tentative deal, which follows the recent conclusion of the Basic Agreement, is a crucial step towards ensuring fair working conditions and compensation for thousands of film and television workers across the United States.
IATSE Local 884, representing studio teachers, successfully negotiated craft-specific issues with the AMPTP after an intense final day of bargaining. This makes Local 884 the 12th of IATSE’s west coast studio locals to finalize talks with the AMPTP. The only remaining west coast local yet to reach an agreement is the Affiliated Property Craftspersons Local 44, which is expected to return to the negotiating table soon.
The union aims to complete all local-specific negotiations before the negotiating committee meets with the AMPTP to begin general bargaining on the Basic Agreement. These general talks will cover broader issues affecting all members, such as wage increases, pension and health contributions, artificial intelligence (AI), job security, and residuals. AI and residuals are anticipated to be key points in these discussions, echoing the significant role they played in last year’s labor negotiations that led to strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA.
The Basic Agreement talks are expected to continue until mid-May, after which IATSE will shift focus to the Area Standards Agreement. This agreement covers 23 additional IATSE locals across the U.S., excluding major production hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. Once IATSE concludes its negotiations, the Teamsters and other Hollywood Basic Crafts will begin their own negotiations in June, addressing pension and health proposals jointly presented to the AMPTP in March.
In a recent memo to its members, IATSE highlighted some of the significant gains achieved in the new contract. These include collective wage increases of 7% in the first year, followed by 4% and 3.5% in subsequent years. Additionally, the deal includes substantial pay increases for crew members working on productions lasting longer than 15 hours. For instance, hourly workers will receive triple pay if they work more than 15 hours in a day, and on-call workers will receive double pay on the seventh day of the workweek. Non-dramatic productions under the Videotape Supplemental Agreement will also see additional wage increases.
The grueling nature of film and television production schedules has been a major point of contention for IATSE members, who have voiced concerns about health problems and physical exhaustion. These issues were prominently featured in the grassroots “Give Us A Rest” campaign during the 2021 contract negotiations. The new agreement aims to address these concerns by implementing stricter penalties for long workdays and ensuring better working conditions for all members.
The tentative agreement on the Area Standards Contract must now be ratified by union members. Detailed summaries of both the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement will be released to members in the coming days, followed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) approximately two weeks later. This will provide members with a comprehensive overview of the negotiated terms and allow them to make an informed decision during the ratification process.
Negotiations on both contracts have been ongoing since early March, and despite some initial tensions, the process has proceeded relatively smoothly without the need for a strike authorization vote. The AMPTP, which represents the studios, can now focus on upcoming negotiations with the Teamsters and other Basic Crafts unions, whose contracts are set to expire on July 31. The Teamsters have already indicated that the studios need to show more urgency in reaching a deal, suggesting that these negotiations might be more challenging.
The successful conclusion of the Basic Agreement and the tentative deal on the Area Standards Contract mark a significant achievement for IATSE and its members. These agreements not only secure better wages and working conditions but also address critical issues such as AI and residuals, which are increasingly important in the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
As the industry moves forward, the focus will now shift to the ratification process and the upcoming negotiations with other unions. The collaborative efforts of IATSE, the AMPTP, and other stakeholders will be crucial in ensuring a fair and sustainable future for all workers in the film and television industry.
Source: Deadline, Variety, Hollywood Reporter
