So far no ruffled feathers as IATSE and the Hollywood studios enter the first week of negotiations. Here is a breakdown of what occurred between the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Hollywood Studios, who are represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP):
On Monday, March 4 the joint Negotiating Committee for IATSE, Teamsters 399, and the Hollywood Basic Crafts presented initial proposals to the AMPTP relating to the shared MPI benefit plans. The AMPTP did not present initial proposals relating to the benefits, and the joint Negotiating Committee awaits a counter.
On Tuesday March 5, the IATSE Basic Agreement Negotiating Committee and the AMPTP traded initial proposals for amendments to the IATSE Hollywood Basic Agreement. This initiates the so-called “General” negotiations for the Basic Agreement, the umbrella agreement that covers the union’s 13 West Coast Studio Locals and roughly 50,000 members primarily in Los Angeles, California. IATSE’s proposals included measures to enhance contract enforcement, economic proposals to offset or exceed increased cost of living, and working conditions proposals that extend reasonable rest and drastically increase penalties for overworking, to name a few.
On Thursday March 7, the IATSE Basic Agreement Negotiating Committee continued discussions in the “General” negotiations for the Basic Agreement — focusing on the union’s comprehensive package of proposals to address emerging technologies, including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence. The goal of these proposals is to protect behind-the-scenes workers’ jobs and creative works, data/privacy, and their safety from emerging technologies regardless of the form the tech may take going forward.
Negotiations have adjourned for the week. In terms of scheduling, union members are advised the Negotiations schedule is fluid and may be subject to change on short notice. Next week, March 11-15 is expected to be a caucus week, meaning the employers and union-Negotiating Committee only meet with themselves, and do not meet in joint sessions with both parties across the table.
From there, the next expected meeting between IATSE and the AMPTP is Monday, March 18, when each of the 13 West Coast Studio Locals (including IATSE Local 44, 80, 600, 695, 700, 705, 706, 728, 729, 800, 871, 884, and 892) will meet with the AMPTP directly in order to address craft-specific issues.
Commenting on the Negotiations, IATSE International Vice President Mike Miller said, “In the coming weeks, we will continue to discuss the specifics of these proposals and provide periodic updates on our exchanges. In the meantime, our work continues.”
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