“Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts Negotiations: Challenges and Stakes in Contract Talks”

A Teamsters Local has issued a cautionary statement, indicating significant gaps in negotiations with major studios and streaming platforms regarding core issues.

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Teamsters

The update from Teamsters Local 399 on Friday evening highlighted ongoing contract talks initiated on June 10. Key negotiation points include wages, funding for benefit plans, artificial intelligence (AI) considerations, and staffing minimums. Representing the Hollywood Teamsters, Local 399 is engaged in negotiating two agreements for its members and an additional one as part of the broader Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition comprising five unions.

“After four weeks, we still remain far apart on our core priorities prior to entering our final week of negotiations to take place next week,” stated Local 399 in the update. “We have been very clear about the reasonableness of our proposals. Many of our suggestions would impose minimal—if any—financial burden on employers while delivering substantial benefits to our members.”

The Hollywood Basic Crafts coalition, which includes Local 399 along with IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, UA Local 78, and OPCMIA Local 755, collectively represents approximately 8,000 workers in various roles such as drivers, location managers, electricians, and plasterers.

Negotiations are scheduled to conclude on July 19, with existing agreements set to expire on July 31. Local 399 emphasized in its update that while they are open to scheduling further negotiation sessions beyond July 19, they will not extend agreements beyond the expiration date.

Throughout this year’s negotiations, both the Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts have maintained a firm stance. In late June, coalition chairperson Lindsay Dougherty and other leaders voiced concerns over the perceived lack of urgency from employers. Early July saw further assertiveness from the coalition, emphasizing that members should not bear the brunt of companies’ financial challenges stemming from the past year.

Lindsay Dougherty, also the principal officer of Local 399, previously conveyed to THR their intent to pursue a more assertive approach in negotiations this year.

Local 399 concluded its update with a firm reaffirmation of their commitment to advocating for their members’ interests. “Our dedication to addressing our key issues should not be underestimated,” they asserted. “Our members are among the lowest paid in production. If employers wish to discuss the costs associated with the Teamsters, we will continue to remind them of the value that Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts bring to the industry.”