Over 100 Democratic lawmakers came out in support of entertainment industry production workers preparing to go on a strike that would affect an estimated 60,000 workers across the country, which would be the largest strike since World War II.
The lawmakers, led by Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Alex Padilla, urged the group to negotiate a fair agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, reminding them of the important role the workers played during the pandemic and warning that a strike could have unintended consequences.
“A strike would dramatically disrupt the industry, the economy, and the communities we represent,” read the Thursday letter to the president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. “We are hopeful that both sides can negotiate in good faith and reach a consensus agreement, which necessitates both parties continuing to participate in ongoing negotiations. We ask that the AMPTP negotiate collaboratively with these workers to reach a fair contract and address the basic human needs that will allow them to do their jobs safely and with dignity.”
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Sens. Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, Dianne Feinstein, and Elizabeth Warren were among the signers of the letter that warned that “failure to reach an agreement would threaten not only the livelihoods of these workers, but also their family members who rely upon work in your industry, sending shockwaves throughout the U.S. economy and the industry.”
“The entertainment you jointly produce is helping to heal our nation,” the members of Congress told the film industry executives of workers, later adding they were “hopeful that both sides can negotiate in good faith and reach a consensus agreement.”
The IATSE is demanding better pay, fewer hours with longer turnarounds and breaks, and equitable pay on productions from streaming services. The current deal allows streaming services with fewer than 20 million subscribers to pay workers less. If the strike passes, it would affect movies, network TV shows, and streaming services Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix. HBO, Starz, and Showtime workers are under a different contract.
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A vote on the strike could happen as early as Friday. Seventy-five percent of the members need to vote “yes” on a strike in order for it to pass. If it does pass, a strike could be ordered as soon as Monday.
Some of the Democrats who signed the letter have expressed support for similar strikes in the past, with Warren applauding UNITE HERE Local 11 for “fighting for better wages and benefits” in December 2019, when labor disputes prompted a venue change ahead of the sixth Democratic presidential primary debate.
