Hollywood’s Below-the-Line Unions Rally Ahead of Contract Negotiations
In a show of unity and strength, Hollywood’s below-the-line unions gathered on Sunday to rally before upcoming contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Threatening a historic strike if their demands are not met, this marks the first time since 1988 that the Hollywood Basic Crafts group and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) are joining forces to negotiate health and pension benefits.
The rally, which drew a strong presence from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), saw a more muted reaction from the Directors Guild of America (DGA). Labor leaders emphasized the need for fair wages and benefits, with key demands focusing on rest, safety, and compensation.
The challenges faced by benefits plans following the 2023 strikes have put a spotlight on the importance of these negotiations. Priorities include increasing retirement accrual rates and gaining streaming-based funding to ensure the sustainability of these plans in the ever-evolving industry.
With contracts set to expire on July 31, IATSE will be negotiating both the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement. Attendees at the rally expressed their readiness to endure a strike if necessary, seeking better protections and job opportunities amidst the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. As the negotiations heat up, the future of Hollywood’s below-the-line workers hangs in the balance.
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