On June 25, 2024, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a tentative agreement on a new Basic Agreement.
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The negotiations for the Basic Agreement began on March 5, 2024. Initially set to conclude by May 17, discussions were extended due to unresolved issues leading to the final tentative agreement on June 25, well ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Hollywood was bracing for what some dubbed a “Hot Labor Summer” due to rising tensions over labor issues.
The previous year had seen strikes from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors GuildâAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
The agreement outlines wage hikes over the next three years, a 7% increase in the first year, followed by 4% and 3.5% in the second and third years.
The new contract includes stricter penalties for extended workdays. Workers will receive triple their hourly wage if a workday exceeds 15 hours.
On-call workers will earn double their hourly rate on their seventh consecutive day of work within a week.
With the integration of Artificial Intelligence in various industries, the agreement introduces new protections for workers.
It includes language ensuring that employees are not required to provide AI prompts if it could lead to their displacement.
The deal addresses a $670 million funding gap in the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans (MPIPHP). New streaming residuals will contribute to this funding, ensuring no participant faces a break in service for the 2023 plan year.
IATSEâs negotiation process involved many member participation. The unionâs leaders acknowledged the invaluable input from members, which helped shape clear goals for the negotiations.
The agreement is pending by the unionâs membership. Detailed summaries and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be released in the coming weeks, allowing members to review and vote on the proposed deal.
The leaders of IATSEâs 13 West Coast Locals representing around 50,000 crew members, communicated the tentative agreement to members on the evening of June 25.
They highlighted the wage increases, AI protections and workday penalties. IATSE and AMPTP jointly announced the tentative agreement, expressing satisfaction with the negotiation outcomes and looking forward to finalizing the Area Standards Agreement for the remaining 20,000 members across 23 Locals nationwide.
The new agreement introduces residuals from streaming services aimed at addressing a $670 million deficit in the pension and health plans for industry workers.
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New clauses ensure that no employee is compelled to provide AI prompts that could lead to job displacement.
Workers will now earn triple their hourly rate for any work exceeding 15 hours in a single day. This provision is designed to discourage excessively long workdays and promote better work-life balance.
On Call classifications will now receive double time on the 7th day of the workweek. These measures aim to reduce burnout and improve the overall quality of life for industry workers.
The tentative agreement includes additional payments from employers to cover a $670 million funding gap in the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans.
No worker will experience a break in service for the plan year 2023.
The unionâs Bargaining Committee which includes representatives from all 13 West Coast Studio Locals, has unanimously supported the agreement.
Members will receive a summary of the agreement in a few days followed by a more detailed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in about two weeks.
The West Coast Locals will hold meetings to discuss the terms and IATSE will host a webinar on July 13 to review the proposed language of the agreement.
The AMPTP will continue negotiations with the Teamsters and other Basic Crafts unions. They also aim to finalize the Area Standards Agreement with IATSE for the 23 union Locals operating outside the West Coast.
7% in year one, 4% in year two, and 3.5% in year three. Triple hourly wage for workdays exceeding 15 hours.
Double hourly wage for on-call workers on the seventh day of the workweek. Additional pay increases for non-dramatic productions under the Videotape Supplemental Agreement.
The agreement includes mechanisms to close the $670 million gap in the MPIPHP. This includes new residuals from streaming services.
IATSE has planned a series of town hall meetings and a multi-local webinar to discuss the details of the tentative agreement.
These meetings aim to inform members and facilitate a transparent process. Detailed summaries will be released within 2-3 days following the announcement, with a full MOA expected within two weeks. The vote timeline will be announced subsequently.
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