IATSE Focus To Area Standards Agreement; Basic Agreement Not Finalized

IATSE is shifting its focus to bargaining the Area Standards Agreement, but the union has yet to finalize its Basic Agreement.

Thursday marked the conclusion of the third week of negotiations between IATSE and the AMPTP on a new three-year deal for the L.A. Locals. The union had planned to wrap up talks on the Basic Agreement by the time the clock struck midnight, but the parties were unable to reach an agreement and will be extending talks.

According to a memo from IATSE sent to members, topics covered over the last week included retirement and health benefits, artificial intelligence, wages and working conditions, subcontracting, as well as the Videotape Agreement and Side Letters.

As Deadline reported on Thursday, job security for members remained a sticking point between IATSE and the AMPTP. The union continues to be stung by backlash to the previous contract, which was approved by a razor thin margin. IATSE leaders are determined this year to bring home a near “bulletproof” agreement, as one union insider said to Deadline. 

IATSE reiterated that sentiment in its memo to members on Friday morning.

“We are working toward setting additional bargaining dates to continue to negotiate the deal our members deserve,” International President Matthew D. Loeb said in a statement. “Talks remain ongoing and we are focused on achieving the goals we came to the table with: improved wages and safer working conditions, consistent funding for our benefit plans, reasonable AI and subcontracting protections, and appropriate enhancements to our Video Tape Agreement and Side Letters.”

IATSE also issued a reminder that all its contracts are set to expire on July 31 and, as the union has previously stated, it is not interested in extending talks beyond that point. As of now, neither IATSE nor any of the Basic Crafts have held a strike authorization vote.