IATSE Chief Matthew Loeb Talks Strike Threat, AI and Union Priorities as AMPTP Negotiations Loom: ‘It’s a Serious Mistake to Play a Game of Chicken’
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Matthew Loeb is heading into what is likely to be the most consequential negotiation of his 16-year tenure to date as international president of IATSE.
The union’s contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are set to begin March 4. After last year’s protracted strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, the industry is on edge about the possibility of another work stoppage.
This time around, IATSE is bolstering its bargaining muscle by negotiating key aspects of the contract jointly with the Hollywood Basic Crafts union as well as Hollywood Teamsters.
In a wide-ranging Q&A, Loeb details the key issues at stake — AI, streaming residuals and pay hikes — and why he’s already declared that IATSE is not willing to extend its current contract after the July 31 expiration date. Artificial intelligence blew up into a huge issue for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA during their contract talks last year.
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