In case you hadn’t heard, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE) has been in negotiations for the past few weeks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in order to get a new contract for the group’s vast membership.
Negotiations stalled in mid-June with plans to resume in July, but then talks were delayed once again so that the AMTP could work out new COVID protocols with IATSE, SAG-AFTRA and the other unions. Talks resumed earlier in June, but with no agreement decided upon by the August 31 cut-off, a new extension has been created to take the existing agreement until Sept. 10 while negotiations continue.
IATSE has also created a website at BasicAgreement.IATSE.net for members of the union to keep abreast of updates to negotiations on the agreement, but a letter giving an update today did not seem optimistic that the union can get the employers to agree on their demans.
August 31, 2021
Update to Our Members,
After more than six weeks of negotiation over a period of four months, it remains clear that the employers are
unwilling to resolve our priority issues – living wages, reasonable rest, meal breaks, sustainable benefits and
streaming (aka “not so new media”). Despite first person testimonials, specific examples and our multiple
counter proposals in response to the employers’ stated concerns, we remain very far apart. We have made some
progress, but the employers have indicated they have done all they need to do.
We are fighting for core union principles: a living wage for the lowest paid among us, health and safety for
those members who suffer abuse working unsafe hours or days without breaks, and the fulfillment of an unkept
promise to share streaming success.
We currently have an extension agreement in place through September 10th and we continue to be ready,
willing, and able to reach consensus with our employers on these issues. However, if the employers refuse to
engage in substantive negotiations, refuse to change the culture by managing the workflow, and refuse to put
human interests before corporate profits, the failure to reach an agreement will be their choice.
United together behind these core principles we have the power to prevail. Further updates will be provided as
events unfold.
In Solidarity,
And it’s signed by,
Matthew D. Loeb
International President,IATSE
Rebecca Rhine
National Executive Director, IATSE Local 600
Rachael Stanley
Executive Director, IATSE Local 892
Greg Reeves
Business Representative-Secretary, IATSE Local 728
Adam West
Business Representative, IATSE Local 705
Patric Abaravich
Business Representative, IATSE Local 871
Cathy Repola
National Executive Director, IATSE Local 700
Scott Bernard
Business Representative, IATSE Local 695
Doug Boney
Business Representative, IATSE Local 884
Thom Davis
Business Manager, IATSE Local 80
Randy Sayer
Business Agent, IATSE Local 706
Tobey Bays
Business Agent, IATSE Local 44
Robert D. Denne
Business Representative/
Secretary-Treasurer, IATSE Local 729
and
Chuck Parker
National Executive Director,
IATSE Local 800
You can view the actual document by clicking on the link below and right-click to download a PDF: