Breaking News: IATSE Strikes Historic Tentative Agreements in
West Coast Locals Negotiations

A New Dawn for Industry Standards: IATSE West Coast Locals Secure Key Agreements

Summary

• IATSE is proud to announce that all 13 of its West Coast Locals have secured tentative agreements with AMPTP after a month of negotiations.
• This achievement sets the stage for potentially game-changing negotiations for the broader industry.
• In April, the final local groups, Local 44 and Local 884, secured their tentative agreements.
• With these critical agreements in place, the national negotiating committee can now focus on the Basic Agreement.
• Negotiations are set to resume on April 29 and are expected to address industry-wide issues and concerns.
• Mike Miller, IATSE’s International Vice President, noted an improved level of engagement and dialogue from the studios’ negotiators, signaling a strategic shift in how discussions are being handled.
• Despite some negotiation periods extending slightly, the overall process remained on track.

After a rigorous month of negotiations, IATSE proudly announces that all 13 of its West Coast Locals have successfully secured tentative agreements with AMPTP. This significant achievement paves the way for the next phase of discussions, setting the stage for potentially game-changing negotiations for the broader industry.

April brought noteworthy progress, with the final local group, Affiliated Property Craftspersons Local 44, and Studio Teachers, IATSE Local 884, securing their tentative agreements on April 25 and April 19, respectively. With these critical agreements in place, the door is now wide open for the national negotiating committee to focus its efforts on the Basic Agreement, marking a pivotal moment for all involved.

Negotiations are set to resume on April 29 and are anticipated to extend through May 16, a period during which the focus will shift towards tackling industry-wide issues and concerns. This extended dialogue highlights the importance of these discussions, signaling a collective effort to address and improve the working conditions and terms for all members.

IATSE’s International Vice President, Mike Miller, shared insights into the negotiation process, noting an improved level of engagement and dialogue from the studios’ negotiators. This change in approach indicates a strategic shift in how contractual discussions are being handled this cycle, fostering an environment conducive to meaningful progress and mutual understanding.

Among the locals engaged in these negotiations, each representing unique crafts and union members, a notable efficiency and coherence were observed. Despite some locals, including Local 44, extending their negotiation periods slightly beyond the initially scheduled times, the overall process remained on track without impacting the set timeline. This level of organization demonstrates the commitment and diligence of all parties involved, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in pursuit of fair and comprehensive agreements.

Notably, this round of negotiations marks the first opportunity in six years for the locals to revisit and potentially revise their contracts, a process interrupted by the Covid pandemic. The unprecedented scheduling allowed each local several days to discuss their specific concerns, underscoring the importance of these negotiations in setting future standards and expectations within the industry.

Details of the tentative agreements remain under wraps for the time being, with plans to present them to the members for ratification only after a tentative deal on the Basic Agreement is reached. This strategy underscores a thoughtful approach to negotiation, prioritizing comprehensive discussions on broader industry standards before finalizing individual agreements.

Looking ahead, following the conclusion of the Basic Agreement talks, negotiations will shift towards the Area Standards Agreement, focusing on the needs and conditions of craftspeople working outside of Los Angeles. This next phase, scheduled from May 20 through May 31, promises to further solidify the groundwork laid by the current negotiations, aiming to enhance the working landscape for IATSE members across the board.

In summary, the successful tentatives agreements reached by all 13 IATSE West Coast Locals with AMPTP mark a milestone in the ongoing efforts to advocate for better conditions and terms for its members. As negotiations continue, there’s an air of optimism, driven by the collaborative spirit and constructive dialogues that have defined the process thus far.