The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees – the two unions representing the lion’s share of below-the-line employees in the movie and television industries – announced that they have reached a strategic agreement “to work together toward common goals.”
What is, in effect, a mutual assistance pact seems aimed at strengthening the stance of both unions – which have skirmished in the past on some issues – when negotiating with studio management on new contracts and other labor-related issues.
Meanwhile, a new round of contract negotiations is set for next year between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The timing of the Teamsters-IATSE alliance may also be an effort to exert more influence on possibly heading off another WGA strike like the 100-day walk-out in 2007-2008 that disrupted the industry and caused the layoffs of many crew members.
Recent meetings between the leadership of the two labor organizations have led to closer ties, according to the announcement. The Executive Boards of both unions unanimously ratified the agreement. A joint committee will be established to oversee the coordination efforts of the two unions.
“The Teamsters are our natural allies,” stated IATSE International president Matthew Loeb. “They work side by side with our members for the same employers, and they face the same challenges we do with respect to our standard of living, and health and retirement benefits.” In Hollywood, the Unions both participate in the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans.
“We look forward to working more closely with IATSE to represent the interests of our members in the motion picture and television industry,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters general president.
“Together our unions will work toward protecting the interests of our members,” said Leo Reed, director of the Teamsters Motion Picture Division and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 399 in Hollywood. “Our members will only benefit from this new partnership.”
