HOLLYWOOD—On Sunday, July 25, members of the Hollywood Teamsters Union met to discuss and vote on whether to accept a deal with the studios or to go on strike. The Teamsters Local 399 represents many drivers and other union members. These drivers are in charge of moving essential production equipment, and other members include craft workers and electricians.
The contract between the Teamsters and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers was set to expire at the end of July, at which point, if a deal was not agreed upon, the teamsters were threatening to stage a walkout. A strike of this magnitude could have devastating effects on the movie industry. Instead, on July 25, the new contract, helmed by Chief Negotiator and Secretary-Treasurer Leo T. Reed, was ratified with a 97.3 percent vote.
Included in the compromise is a pay increase, which guarantees benefits such as Pension and Health for Union members. Also, there have been expansions to the food program, which will now allow for “off-production” drivers to receive meal allowances. There is also a re-confirmation of the low budget threshold and a variety of other points in the contract.
In recommending the acceptance of this contract, Reed said, “I would like to thank my brothers from the International again. They stand here with me today, totally committed. They are Local 399’s clout and leverage in negotiations. We are committed! We stand together, shoulder to shoulder, coming to each other’s aid in time of need, from ‘sea to shining sea.’”
While many anxiously await the upcoming negotiations between AMPTP and SAG, which are coming up in the fall, and other union talks later in the year, most are relieved to hear about the acceptance of this contract between the Teamsters Local 399 and the studios, as Hollywood was able to avoid a potentially damaging strike.
