IATSE, Hollywood Basic Crafts, And Teamsters In Contract Talks With the AMPTP

TV & Film

Mar 8

Combined logos of the IATSE and Teamsters. — Image Source: CultureSlate

Last year saw battles between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and both Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. This year, more are following in benefit for below-the-line workers. On the field of battle this year are Teamsters, Hollywood Basic Crafts, and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

The three unions have joined forces in their discussions with the AMPTP for fairer pension and health plans during general negotiations. With that first phase concluded, IATSE’s 13 locals take to the bargaining table to secure agreements specific to their section of the guild. Any of those local-specific issues that don’t get met will become a priority for the next round of general negotiations alongside other areas of the basic agreement such as meal breaks and rest periods.

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IATSE International President Matthew Loeb and Teamster’s Local 399 boss Lindsay Dougherty have been clear that strike action will be taken if necessary. Both seem content to let negotiations play out before calling for a strike-authorization vote, which is something SAG-AFTRA pre-emptively secured to show they wouldn’t be backing down. Dougherty also believes that AMPTP “did learn a lot of lessons from last year because simply saying no, it’s just not gonna cut it any longer.”

That won’t mean negotiations will be easy, and Dougherty recognizes that. “They are a formidable opponent, and they are going to challenge us, and we’re going to have to push to get to a point where it’s the right contract for our members. … They’ll give us a fight, but I think they’re not going to take it to the degree that they did last year.”

The contracts of all unions will expire on July 31. No extensions will be happening, IATSE had declared, as such extensions were not well received by members of the union during the 2021 negotiations. Sources from within the unions have said that securing a deal in these latest contract talks will continue to protect the careers and the quality of life that those in the industry have.

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