Posts tagged IATSE
WGA Strike Leaders Chris Keyser and David Goodman Warn Members to Stay Vigilant: ‘The Strike is Over, the Fight Goes On’
April 16, 2024 // “It’s exhilarating when we won a contract with so many benefits and protections for writers and since the strike ended as a show of enduring solidarity, I have remained unemployed,” joked late-night writer Josh Gondelman, who hosted the WGA East ceremony. Later in the night, WGA West president Meredith Stiehm took the stage to deliver a long list of thank-yous to other Hollywood unions and those who supported the guild during its 148-day work stoppage. Stiehm noted that unlike the 2007-2008 strike, the WGA received strong support from fellow unions last year. She indicated that WGA members are prepared to demonstrate solidarity with IATSE members later this year if that union winds up in a work stoppage. IATSE at present is deep in contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Universal City AMC Workers Vote to Unionize With IATSE
March 27, 2024 // In an election that took place March 15 and 16, 37 employees voted in favor of joining the Hollywood crew union and six voted against, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Ushers, cooks, bartenders and all other non-management employees of the theater are all part of the group that is set to join IATSE.
IATSE & Teamsters Leaders Rally Members Of Crew Unions Before AMPTP Talks Begin; “If We Don’t Get What We Want, We Will Shut It Down”
March 5, 2024 // This year’s bargaining cycle marks the first time since 1988 that IATSE, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits for their members under the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan. IATSE will continue negotiations of their IATSE Hollywood Basic Agreement and the IATSE Area Standard Agreement contracts and local union specific issues. Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts are expected to bargain with the AMPTP in early June for their local specific issues.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Production Workers Vote to Unionize With IATSE
November 5, 2023 // In a National Labor Relations Board ballot count, 63 production employees (or 93%) — including production coordinators, production managers and production supervisors — voted to join the Animation Guild. Out of a total of 68 voters, five workers voted against. If neither of the parties files an objection to the result in five days, the union will be certified and labor and management can begin bargaining a first contract.
A union strike interrupts Minnesota United’s final game of season in St. Paul
October 9, 2023 // The local chapter of the IATSE has contracts with the Twins, Timberwolves, Wild, Bally Sports North, the Big Ten Network and other crewing contractors, Cushing said. They have voted down only one previous recent contract with Bally Sports North, but agreed and ratified a second offer. The Bally deal, Cushing said, also had 4% wage increases. On Saturday, MNUFC was able to cobble together enough crew to film and upload a stream to MLSSoccer.com and clips to air Apple TV’s highlight show and online.
Marvel VFX Artists Vote to Unionize
August 8, 2023 // The unionization effort marks the first time VFX professionals have banded together in such a fashion, as this segment of the industry has largely remained non-union. IATSE represents more than 168,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons working in movies and TV, but while “positions like production designers/art directors, camera operators, sound, editors, hair and makeup artists, costumes/wardrobe, script supervisors, grips, lighting, props and paint, among others, have historically been represented by IATSE,” the release explains, “workers in VFX classifications historically have not.” Added VFX coordinator Bella Huffman: “Turnaround times don’t apply to us, protected hours don’t apply to us, and pay equity doesn’t apply to us. Visual effects must become a sustainable and safe department for everyone who’s suffered far too long and for all newcomers who need to know they won’t be exploited.”
No, Reality TV Isn’t Thriving During Industry Strikes
August 4, 2023 // The dual strikes are also raising more awareness about working conditions across the industry, in recent weeks prompting people like The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and Selling Sunset’s Mary Bonnet to speak in support of creating a union for reality TV performers. One anonymous producer tells The Hollywood Reporter that several producers have spoken out in support of unionizing as well, but because there is currently a lull in work opportunities, most producers are currently more focused on finding jobs and getting a paycheck than organizing for better working conditions.
Teamsters Union Allocates $2M to Aid Members During Writers Strike
June 29, 2023 // https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/teamsters-financial-aid-writers-strike-2m-1235524076/#:~:text=Many%20members%20of,activities%20at%20studios.
Opinions | The WGA strike is part of a recurring pattern when technology changes
May 31, 2023 // Once again, writers and other workers in Hollywood are facing technological change, this time regarding the use of artificial intelligence in projects covered by the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). The WGA has proposed that any MBA material be produced by a person, with writing credits to a human, and that no AI be used in the production of literary material for a film. The goal is to secure the jobs and pay of writers, with both initial minimum payments during production and residuals for back-end exhibition. The WGA, which has stronger residuals security and higher payments with studios than with streamers, is looking for closer parity, especially with streaming’s rise in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic. Could AI help script a sitcom? Some striking writers fear so. In a recent example of where the agreements have fallen short, Netflix forced the WGA into arbitration by withholding residuals, ultimately owing $64 million in backdated payments while still refusing to shell out $13.5 million in interest.
Writers’ strike week 3: Stars rally at 30 Rock, WGA says strike will cost studios more money than settling
May 24, 2023 // The Writers Guild strike passed the three-week mark on Tuesday, as a large rally dubbed #RallyAtTheRock took place outside NBCUniversal headquarters and featured stars like Mark Ruffalo, Busy Phillips, John Leguizamo and Kal Penn. Even more celebrities, including SNL cast member Sarah Sherman and comedian Jordan Klepper, filled the picket lines and were joined by the Teamsters union, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Broadway performers and many more.