60,000 film workers could strike over demands to improve 'quality of life'

The International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union approved a possible strike, giving its president the power to shut down film and TV production nationwide. The vote by union members passed with 98 percent support and 90 percent turnout, reported Variety.

Stalled talks between Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the studios, remained unresolved as contract negotiations since May failed to address extended hours on set, streaming wage scales and residuals, and the stability of the pension and health funds.

"The members have spoken loud and clear," said Matthew D. Loeb, the international president, in a statement. "This vote is about the quality of life as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry."

"Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep, and a weekend. For those at the bottom of the pay scale, they deserve nothing less than a living wage," he continued in the press statement.

In previous negotiations, the studios agreed to pay for hotel rooms for workers who didn't think they could drive home safely. Now the unions seek a 10-hour turnaround between shifts for all workers, a 54-hour turnaround on weekends, and more meal penalties to force productions to stop for lunch.

Loeb, who can authorize a strike for 60,000 workers, is still expected to enter talks with the AMPTP because the union argues the authorization gives them leverage during negotiations. If continued discussions fail, the nationwide strike would be the union's first in its 128-year history.

The vote comes following a year-long hiatus halted production under COVID-19 safety protocols. Union members said the pandemic shutdown forced a reconsideration of the grueling schedules faced by film and TV crews.

"No one's gung-ho about a strike," said Joe Martinez, a member of IATSE Local 44. "We're more interested in having certain things become fair."

Amid the strike threat, the AMPTP wrote, "We deeply value our IATSE crew members and are committed to working with them to avoid shutting down the industry at such a pivotal time, particularly since the industry is still recovering from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. "

Loeb stressed a deal could still be made but cautioned both parties to work together in good faith and compromise. With soundstages at or near-total capacity and continued production difficulties to find sufficient workers to maintain shooting deadlines, budding exhaustion and burnout increased the staffing demand, encouraging union members.

"I don't think there's been a better time," said John Lindley, president of the International Cinematographers Guild. "I've never seen the kind of unity before that we have right now."

"Many of our members were working from home during the pandemic," said Cathy Repola, the Motion Picture Editors Guild executive director. "They got to have dinner with their family and friends, not miss out on so many personal events because they didn't have to commute on top of their long work hours."

"Now the notion of returning to a worksite has that contrast really in their face … it ramps things up to this insanity again where there is no true balance between work life and personal life," she added.