The Teamsters union is facing a tense situation in their negotiations with the studios as their contract expiration date of July 31st approaches. Teamsters Local 399, along with other Basic Crafts unions, have been engaged in talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for four weeks now, with discussions scheduled through July 19.

In a recent update, the union expressed that they are still ‘far apart’ on their key priorities and emphasized that the contract will not be extended beyond the expiration date. One of the major points of contention is the Teamsters union’s demand for a substantial wage increase, aiming for more than the 7% increase secured by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in the first year of their contract.

Additionally, the Teamsters are pushing to limit subcontracting, a move that would create more opportunities for union drivers during slower periods in the Hollywood industry. The union highlighted that their members are among the lowest-paid in the production sector and stressed the importance of their proposals, which they believe would benefit members without significantly impacting employers financially.

Teamsters Local 399, known as the ‘Hollywood’ local, represents a diverse group of approximately 6,500 professionals including drivers, animal wranglers, and location managers. They negotiate collectively with four smaller unions, totaling around 8,000 workers in the industry.

To address the ongoing negotiations, the union leaders, including Sean O’Brien, the general president, and Lindsay Dougherty, the head of Local 399, are set to hold a meeting with members to discuss the current status of the talks. The union plans to provide an update following the meeting.

Meanwhile, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is expected to finalize their contract in the coming week. The discussions with IATSE focused on the challenges posed by the downturn in the entertainment sector, with concerns that a potential strike could exacerbate the industry’s current difficulties.

The situation remains tense as the Teamsters union and the studios work to bridge the gap in their negotiations before the looming contract deadline. Stay tuned for further developments as both sides strive to reach a resolution.