IATSE Leader Is ‘Hopeful’ as Contract Talks Continue
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer The president of IATSE told members Saturday that he is hopeful that a deal will be reached “soon” with the studios on a new agreement for 23 local unions around the country.
The union has been bargaining for the last three months on two contracts — the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement — that together cover about 70,000 crew workers nationwide.
The last two weeks of talks have been focused on the Area Standards Agreement, which covers about 20,000 workers in 23 locals, including major production centers like Georgia and New Mexico.
Those talks wrapped up on Saturday without a tentative agreement — but more negotiation days are expected to be added later in June. “I want to thank the ASA Negotiating Committee for their thorough work to prepare for these negotiations,” Matt Loeb, the international president of IATSE, said in a statement. “Their contribution helped ensure we have the momentum we need at the table.
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