IATSE leader is ‘hopeful’ as contract talks continue

IATSE’s president told members Saturday that he is hopeful an agreement will be reached “soon” with the studios on a new agreement for 23 local unions across the country.

The union has spent the past three months negotiating two contracts – the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement – ​​which together cover approximately 70,000 crew members across the country.

The past two weeks of talks have focused on the Area Standards Agreement, which covers about 20,000 workers in 23 local populations, including major manufacturing centers like Georgia and New Mexico. Those talks concluded Saturday without a tentative agreement — but more negotiating days are expected to be added later in June.

“I would like to thank the ASA Negotiating Committee for their thorough work in preparation for these negotiations,” Matt Loeb, IATSE international president, said in a statement. “Their contribution has ensured that we have the momentum we need at the table. I am hopeful that we will soon reach a tentative agreement that members will want to ratify.”

The union returns to the table on Monday to resume talks on the Basic Agreement, which covers 13 locals headquartered in Los Angeles. Those talks will last until Wednesday and could result in a preliminary agreement this week.

IATSE focuses on a significant increase in wages, a new funding stream for pension and healthcare plans, rest periods and meal penalties, and rules around subcontracting. Much of the focus has been on artificial intelligence, and how best to reskill and compensate workers who lose their jobs to AI.

The Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement are expected to be similar in most respects, although workers in Los Angeles generally demand higher wages.

Teamsters Local 399 and the other Basic Crafts unions, which collectively represent about 8,000 workers, will begin their negotiations on June 10.

All three contracts expire on July 31.