The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Hollywood Basic Crafts, which encompasses Teamsters Local 399, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (IBEW), Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!), United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA), and Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA) Local 755, have announced a collaborative effort in bargaining their shared Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan proposals during the 2024 negotiation cycle with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
This marks the first time since 1988 that the unions will directly collaborate on key contract provisions regarding retirement and health benefits. Historically, negotiations for the IATSE Hollywood Basic Agreement and Area Standard Agreement preceded the Hollywood Basic Crafts’ negotiations with the AMPTP. However, this year, negotiations for the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan benefits will commence jointly during the first week of March.
Following these discussions, IATSE will continue negotiations on these contracts and local union-specific issues, while Teamsters and Hollywood Basic Crafts are expected to bargain with the AMPTP in early June for their local classification-specific issues.
The Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan serve over 75,000 active and retiree participants and are governed by separate Boards of Directors appointed in equal number by the participating unions and employers. Michael Miller, IATSE VP, emphasized the importance of collaborative negotiations amidst recent hardships faced by crew members due to work stoppages and the pandemic.
The Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan serve over 75,000 active and retiree participants and are governed by separate Boards of Directors appointed in equal number by the participating unions and employers. Michael Miller, IATSE VP, emphasized the importance of collaborative negotiations amidst recent hardships faced by crew members due to work stoppages and the pandemic.
“Our benefit plans remain at the forefront of members’ minds. Though the plans took a hit financially due to work stoppages prolonged by the employers in 2023 as well as the pandemic work stoppage in 2020, the trustees of the plan knew funds spent to ensure continuity of workers’ health and retirement benefits was money well spent,” said Miller. “It’s important for our unions to be on the same page as we collaboratively negotiate for the plans not only because sustainable benefits is a shared priority of our memberships, but also because recent hardships have brought behind-the-scenes crews together in historic fashion.”
Key issues to be addressed during negotiations include securing additional streaming-based funding mechanisms for the plans, increasing retirement accrual rates, and safeguarding health coverage against any cuts. Unlike other union agreements, residuals in this context serve as a funding mechanism for the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plans. Last year, the MPIPHP Board of Directors implemented several programs to support crew members during the industry shutdown, underscoring the plans’ commitment to participants’ well-being.
Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Local 399 Principal Officer and Chairperson of the Hollywood Basic Crafts, emphasized the importance of unity among crew members in advocating for their collective interests and securing dignified retirements.
“Our members are the backbone of production,” said Dougherty. “They give their blood, sweat and tears to this industry. They are owed the ability to retire with dignity and have the stability of plan funding to protect and increase benefits. Fighting alongside IATSE on shared MPIPHP benefits will not only support all Hollywood crewmembers, but also remind the employers that when they can’t divide us, they should fear us. Nothing moves without the crew.”
While the collaboration focuses on shared MPIPHP benefits, it’s important to note that each union also has distinct craft-specific issues that employers must address separately in negotiations. Agreements for IATSE, Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts, along with other related agreements, are set to expire on July 31st, 2024.
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