IATSE, AMPTP Return to Bargaining Table

One day after IATSE membership overwhelming voted in favor of a strike authorization, the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture Theatre Producers have returned to the bargaining table. The move will keep everyone work at least for the near term.

According to Variety, "In what could be taken as a sign of progress, the two sides are not saying much publicly about the negotiations. One union official told Variety that the latest proposal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers was a 'nothingburger,' but otherwise union officials have been fairly quiet. On the other hand, the producers seemed to show little sign of caving on major issues after the unions delivered a resounding 99% vote to authorize a strike on Monday."

According to CNBC, "IATSE is calling for a new three-year agreement that would give behind-the-scenes workers higher pay, meal breaks, improved contributions to health and pension plans, and a bigger cut of profits from streaming productions."

Crew members worked hard, often under difficult conditions, during the pandemic; like many others in the current labor market, they are asking tough questions about quality-of-life issues. Producers are eager to avoid disruptions in productions, as networks and streaming services are starved for new content. Filmmakers and exhibitors are also eager to attract patrons back to cinemas.

Salvatore Perez, president of the Costumer Designers Guild, told Variety, "We aren't asking for the world. We want fair wages and a safe and healthy working environment. The studios need us...We should be treated as a valuable asset -- a partner, not a cog in the system."

For now, no news is good news, as both sides negotiate.