Casey Stephens / Variety
IATSE and the Hollywood Basic Crafts union began negotiations on Monday with proposals on pension and health items.
A large rally on Sunday was followed by a first day of negotiations, during which union leaders warned that unless a deal was reached by the July 31 contract deadline, a sequel to last year's Hot Labor Summer would begin. I warned you.
Negotiations began at 2 p.m. with an unusually large delegation from the staff union to negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the major studios.
The negotiations are expected to take place under a media blackout, indicating that both sides believe it would be counterproductive to release details of their proposals to the press.
The International Union of Theatrical Stage Employees has agreed to jointly negotiate with Teamsters Local 399 and other Basic Crafts unions on issues related to pension and health plans in the motion picture industry.
Unions were expected to call for a new streaming residual that would increase employer contributions to pensions and health insurance. The union sought similar provisions in the 2021 negotiations, but was unsuccessful.
Pension insurance and health insurance are facing an unusually large shortage after last year's double strike, which saw the scripted side of the industry shut down for six months.
“The union federation has submitted an initial proposal to the AMPTP for an MPI common benefit plan,” the union advised members in a short update on social media Monday night. “Talks are expected to continue throughout this week.”
The negotiation process is expected to proceed slowly. Following joint consultations on pensions and health, IATSE is expected to begin negotiating a master agreement affecting 13 local residents on the West Coast. In late April, attention will turn to area standards agreements that affect other local residents across the country, and Teamsters Local 399 will negotiate individual issues in June.
The union has already pledged not to extend the contract beyond its expiration date.
