Contract negotiations began this week between the AMPTP and IATSE, an important step in avoiding yet another labor shutdown in Hollywood. The IATSE represents over 170,000 workers with specialized skills that are essential to the production of TV shows and movies. First, the union presented its opening offer to the studios, represented by the AMPTP.
The two sides then drilled down on topics as wide-ranging as “contract enforcement, cost of living, and proposals to extend reasonable rest and drastically increase penalties for overworking.” Talks concluded at the end of the week with the two sides agreeing to reconvene on March 18th after discussing current positions with their members.
It’s reassuring to see these talks begin well before the end date of the current labor contract. This was not the case in negotiations between the studios and the writers’ and actors’ unions. It appears that both sides see the need to start early to minimize the chances of yet another devastating strike.
Some members of the IATSE have expressed concern that the strong desire to avoid a new strike will result in their needs being sold short. At a rally amongst members following the meeting, the IATSE leaders spoke directly about these concerns. Union President Mathew Loeb spoke on the topic of AI, a sticking point in last year’s negotiations with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA.
Loeb said that IATSE negotiators would fight to make it so that the benefits of AI accrue to the workers first, saying that “if efficiency comes, it needs to come to us and our jobs.” Sean O’Brien, President of the Teamsters Union, said that workers were “not afraid” to strike, and if “these greedy corporations…choose not to reward our members, they are putting themselves on strike. We will put them on their back, on their knees, begging for mercy.”