Hollywood union workers vote to go on strike, demand changes to ‘unsafe’ work conditions

Tens of thousands of Hollywood workers have voted resoundingly to authorize a strike over dismal work conditions made more extreme by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), which represents some 60,000 US off-screen workers, said that 90% of its members cast ballots and more than 98% of the votes returned were in favor of a work stoppage.

The vote by camera operators, make-up artists and other behind-the-scenes workers strengthened the hand of IATSE leaders in stalled contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The proposed action would be “the first nationwide strike in our 128-year history.”

The two sides will meet on Tuesday, but it was not clear whether the meeting would lead to a full resumption of talks to avoid a strike, which could shut down nearly all US film and television production.

"I hope that the studios will see and understand the resolve of our members," IATSE President Matthew Loeb said in a statement. "If they want to avoid a strike, they will return to the bargaining table and make us a reasonable offer."

"Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep, and a weekend," Loeb added.

The IATSE has been lobbying for months for better working conditions for their members, but negotiations with the AMPTP have not been fruitful so far.

“The ball is in their court. If they want to avoid a strike, they will return to the bargaining table and make us a reasonable offer,” Loeb said in the public statement on Monday.

Sound mixer Thomas Pieczkolon said, "My hours are insane," during a rally on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles as he decorated cars with chalk "Vote Yes" signs. He works on a $300m show for a streaming service and has to work nine hours most days before they even break for lunch, he said.

The IATSE has set up a petition open to “non-member allies” that demands a “livable wage” for crew members and rules to avoid “excessively unsafe and harmful working hours.” The petition has collected nearly 120,000 signatures as of Monday evening.

The union has called for a new three-year deal with production companies that increases pay for backstage crew members after the current deal expired on September 10.

The IATSE is also seeking to reduce working hours that can stretch to about 14 hours a day as the demand for TV shows and films has increased, particularly for streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Amazon Video.

It also argued that production crews working on new media – podcasts, streaming content, etc. – are paid far less despite the projects having budgets that match productions from traditional studios.

The AMPTP said in a statement it was "committed to reaching an agreement that will keep the industry working" but said it would require both parties showing "a willingness to compromise and to explore new solutions."

The last major strike in Hollywood was by film and television screenwriters in late 2007 and early 2008 when they refused to return to work for approximately four months, leaving movie and television productions to either shut down or air re-runs of comedies and dramas on TV.

The AMPTP said in a Monday statement that they hope a strike can be avoided.

“A deal can be made at the bargaining table, but it will require both parties working together in good faith with a willingness to compromise and to explore new solutions to resolve the open issues,” the alliance said.

IATSE has won the support of powerful Hollywood unions representing actors, directors and writers.

"They haul sets, equipment, designs, at all hours in all weather. They are the 1st in & last out. They're owed livable wages & hours, & we owe them our unwavering support. Without them, there is no show," tweeted an actress.

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