Hollywood Basic Crafts Overwhelmingly Ratify New Deal With Studios and Streamers
Quelling fears of another strike in entertainment, Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition members on Thursday voted to ratify their unions’ new three-year deal with major studios and streamers.
Each of the Basic Craft Locals saw overwhelming ratification by their respective memberships: LiUNA! Local 724 with 96 percent; IBEW Local 40 with 92 percent; OPCMIA Local 755 with 97 percent; UA Local 78 with 97 percent; Teamsters Local 399 with 96 percent of the Black Book Agreement (covering drivers, dispatchers, dot admins, chef assistants, animal trainers/ wranglers, mechanics); and Teamsters Local 399 with 98 percent of the Location Manager Agreement (covering location managers, key assistant location manager and assistant location managers).
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In a statement, Basic Crafts chairperson Lindsay Dougherty said, “While we are proud of what was accomplished for our members regarding wage increases and adjustments across many classifications and improved working conditions, it will never be enough for the hard work, skill, and expertise of our members.”
She added that the union will “continue to keep an eye on technological advancements” and “advocate for increased work here in California.”
After the ratification vote was announced, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers weighed in on the deal. “The AMPTP congratulates the Basic Crafts unions on the overwhelming ratification of their respective deals, which contain important new protections and some of the largest increases in decades,” a spokesperson stated. “The significant economic gains, benefits, additional safety measures, and quality of life improvements in these new contracts reflect the immense value and contributions the hard-working members of these unions bring to Hollywood daily. These deals will contribute to a stronger and more stable future for the motion picture industry – one that can continue to innovate and create and maintain well-paid jobs for its employees.”
The two parties began negotiating on June 10, with the unions focusing on key issues like higher wages, an infusion of funding into benefits plans, language governing the use of AI, staffing minimums and changes to working conditions. Union statements have struck a defiant tone in the weeks since, with leaders chastising the AMPTP early on for allegedly exhibiting a “lack of urgency” in the discussions. Later, on July 13, the Teamsters Local 399 warned that the groups remained “far apart” on key issues following four weeks of negotiations.
On Sunday, the group announced the provisional deal. Terms have yet to be disclosed.
“We’ve successfully negotiated a union agreement that raises wages, boosts pensions, and strengthens health benefits for our members and their families,” said Alex Aguilar, LiUNA! Local 724 secretary-treasurer in a statement. “This agreement showcases our collective resolve and dedication to improving quality of life. These gains are an important step toward securing a more promising future for all members.”
The Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition consists of unions that collectively represents nearly 8,000 workers in bargaining.
Before heading into negotiations in mid-June, Hollywood Basic Crafts chief negotiator and Teamsters Local 399 principal officer Lindsay Dougherty told THR in an interview that the stakes were higher for the negotiating group this year given the financial pressures that workers faced during and after the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. “It’s going to be a harder fight, but we just have to be tougher than ever before and more aggressive,” Dougherty stated. “I am ready for the challenge.”
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