After days of marathon negotiations, representatives from the International Alliance of Theater Employees and from the studios and entertainment companies that employ them reached a three-year contract agreement before Monday’s strike deadline, avoiding a serious setback for an industry that has just returned. to work after a long pause in epidemics, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
“This is the end of Hollywood,” said union president Matthew Loeb. “Our members have stood firm.”
Workers still had to vote to approve it, but the strike was called off with a temporary deal.
Many in Hollywood celebrated the news.
“Good for IATSE for standing up to the ground. Don’t forget that we stand by you any time you need us,” comedian, actor, and writer Patton Oswalt said on Twitter.
Another actress, writer, and comic writer, Yvette Nicole Brown, tweeted “#UnionStrong!” Along with a link to a story talking about the agreement.
“Congratulations, brothers and sisters!” Jennifer Garner said on Instagram.
The effects of the strike could have been immediate, as not only the crews were involved in long-term productions but daily series including network talk shows that were out of their jobs. Shows with short transitions like TV series can also have immediate effects.
The association represents cinematographers, camera operators, interior designers, carpenters, hair and make-up artists, and many more.
Union members said previous contracts allowed employers to force them to work long hours and deny them reasonable rest by meal breaks and adequate time between shifts. The leaders said the lowest-paid crafts were receiving unlivable wages, and streaming outlets including Netflix, Apple and Amazon were allowed to work harder for less money.
Saturday’s IATSE statement said the agreement “addresses core issues, including reasonable rest periods; wage-living meal breaks for those at the bottom of the pay scale; and substantial increases in compensation to be paid by new media companies.”
The union reported on October 4 that its members voted overwhelmingly to allow the strike, sparking industry-wide concerns, but talks immediately resumed between IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios and other entertainment companies in negotiations.
“We have gone toe-to-toe with some of the richest and most powerful entertainment and technology companies in the world and have now reached an agreement with AMPTP that meets the needs of our members,” Loeb said.
AMPTP spokesman Jared Gonzalez confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
A deadline for Monday’s strike was set for Wednesday when talks faltered, but the union said subsequent negotiations had been fruitful.
It would have been the first national strike in IATSE’s 128-year history, and would have affected not only the Los Angeles and New York area but also growing production centers such as Georgia, New Mexico and Colorado.
During the negotiations, several notable names in entertainment spoke out in favor of the union’s demands, including Octavia Spencer, Mindy Kaling and Jane Fonda. The Directors Guild of America also issued a statement of solidarity signed by the likes of Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Barry Jenkins, Ron Howard and Ava DuVernay.
RAE