The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has set a date to begin a nationwide strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), according to its international president Matthew Loeb. The strike is set to begin on at the stroke of midnight on October 18 if an agreement is not reached by then. The strike is set to apply to more than 60,000 film and television workers.
The IATSE has been bargaining for more appropriate working conditions on-set that include suitable rest periods, meal breaks, and livable wages for everyone. Crews often go through shoots that last more than 12 hours a day several times a week, easily crossing the typical 40-hour workweek. Loeb spoke about the need for a deadline to incentivize an agreement.
“…the pace of bargaining doesn’t reflect any sense of urgency,” Loeb said. “Without an end date, we could keep talking forever. Our members deserve to have their basic needs addressed now.”
IATSE members from 36 of its unions across the country voted last week to approve its international president to call for a strike if a new contract was not reached for 60,000 of its workers. The vote saw a 90% turnout with 98.6% voting in favor of a strike.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 150,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry. This includes live theatre, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.
Follow BackstageOL as the story develops.
