Last updated on Sunday Oct 17th.
You’ve probably heard that IATSE and AMPTP are negotiating terms under threat of a strike, but what is actually happening?
I found it pretty confusing at first but then I realised the huge impact this movement is going to have on the film and television industry across the globe. So, here is an idiot’s guide to what’s going on between IATSE and AMPTP.
WHO ARE IATSE AND AMPTP
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) are the biggest union of workers in the USA that represent behind the scenes crews. Camera, grips, electrics, editors and many others. The ones that actually make the shows for Film and TV.
AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) are a group of people representing the corporations that create streaming/film content. We’re talking Apple, Amazon, Netflix, as well as the traditional studios. AMPTP aren’t the producers of the show, they just the legal representatives of the world’s largest corporations commissioning the shows.
WHAT’S THE ISSUE BETWEEN IATSE AND AMPTP
If you’re a part of the industry you may have noticed that deadlines are getting tighter and workloads heavier. Late nights, early mornings, and individuals expected to do the work of multiple people for the same money.
Well, now it’s reached breaking point and the crew are pissed off. IATSE are asking AMPTP for fair working conditions:
- Livable wages for the lowest paid crafts
- More turnaround time between workdays (no more 14 hour days with early call times the next day, and weekends with enough time off to enjoy them)
- Actual meal breaks
- Better pension and health plan
- Bigger share of the revenue from streaming shows which now rival that of blockbusters
Well, AMPTP said “Nah”, even though some of the requested working conditions are standard on other set jobs.
So, IATSE union members voted overwhelmingly to strike on Oct 18th.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT
Even though this is happening in the USA, this has global repercussions and will set the standard of working conditions for all crew members.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE IATSE STRIKE
On Oct 16th IATSE and AMPTP came to a tentative agreement so the strike was called off. This is the offer AMPTP laid on the table:
It’s an improvement on the current working conditions, but not 100% what was asked for.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
IATSE members will vote to decide if they’re happy with these new terms. If the majority are not happy then it’s back to negotiations between IATSE and AMPTP until both parties and its members are happy with the terms.
Watch this space.
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