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IATSE West Coast locals and major Hollywood studios and streamers tackled issues including AI and wages in their latest week of general negotiations, the union reported to members Friday.
The two parties also discussed working conditions, allegedly the issue of companies subcontracting work that IATSE believes is covered under its contracts with outside parties, IATSE's The videotape contract (which covers certain reality shows, game shows, award shows, live TV and half-hour shows. ) and side letters that the union wants to terminate.
The union did not provide any further details on the substance of those talks in its Friday message, though the talks have effectively been classified as progress so far. Matthew Loeb, the union's international president, said in a statement that the union has been “constructively engaged” with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which negotiates with Hollywood unions on behalf of studios and streamers. .
“The purpose of these negotiations is to ensure that our agreements keep pace with the rapid evolution of the entertainment industry. In many cases, the language of previous agreements no longer works for our members,” Loeb said. “We are engaging constructively with employers to upgrade this and adapt our agreements to current working conditions.”
A union insider was added. The Hollywood Reporter That talks have been described as more productive so far than the 2021 negotiating round, which spanned several months and culminated in a vote by staff members to authorize a massive strike. (The union ultimately did not strike, but instead reached a last-minute deal that was controversial with its members.)
THR AMPTP has been contacted for comment.
The union told its members Friday that negotiations for West Coast Natives will continue until May 16, after which the union will finalize its Area Standards Agreement (which includes New York and a group of Natives outside the West Coast). covered) will be negotiated. Currently, there are no plans for basic contract talks to proceed beyond May 16.
Area Standards Agreement discussions between May 20 and May 31 will cover many of the same issues that West Coast locals are currently discussing with employers – including AI, wage increases, work conditions, pension and health contributions and job security. . The current iteration of both the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement is set to expire on July 31.