Teamsters and grassroots unions ratify contracts

The Teamsters and other Hollywood Basic Crafts unions announced Thursday that they have ratified their new contracts, which offer a 7% wage increase across the board.

The five unions – which together represent about 8,000 employees – reached a preliminary agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Saturday evening.

Teamsters Local 399 fought for double-digit wage increases, along with a ban on self-driving trucks and a minimum staffing rule of one driver per truck. But the studios were unwilling to break the wage pattern set last year by SAG-AFTRA and by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees: annual increases of 7%, 4% and 3.5%.

Some classifications were able to achieve increases above that level. Negotiators were unable to secure the minimum staffing or language for autonomous vehicles, although the AMPTP did offer assurances that the studios have no plans to use self-driving trucks.

“Preparation for the next round of negotiations begins now,” Lindsay Dougherty, the leader of Teamsters Local 399, said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor technological advancements, advocate for more work here in California, ensure only Teamsters and Teamsters do our jobs, and fight for all Motion Picture Teamsters for the compensation, working conditions and respect they are owed.”

The Teamsters voted 96% in favor of the “Black Book” agreement, which covers drivers, dispatchers, zookeepers and mechanics. The site managers, also represented by the Teamsters, supported their deal by a 98% vote.

The four other Basic Crafts unions approved their contracts by the following margin: LiUNA! Local 724, the workers’ union, 96%; IBEW Local 40, the electricians, 92%; OPCMIA Local 755, the plasterers, 97%; UA Local 78, the plumbers, 97%.

With production still struggling to cover last year’s double strike, the contracts ensure workers do not have to worry about another industry-wide shutdown this year. The AMPTP congratulated the unions in a statement.

“The significant economic benefits, benefits, additional safety measures and quality of life improvements in these new contracts reflect the immense value and contributions that the hardworking members of these unions bring to Hollywood every day,” the studio group said. “These deals will help create a stronger and more stable future for the film industry – one that can continue to innovate and create and sustain good-paying jobs for its workers.”