By an extremely narrow margin, members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) ratified a pair of nationwide contracts covering 60,000 workers in film and video production. In fact, one of the two agreements, known as the Basic Agreement, would have failed if it weren’t for the fact that IATSE uses an electoral college style system to ratify contracts, in which locals are assigned delegates based on their size of memberships. The popular vote on the Basic Agreement was 49.6% yes to 50.4% no. Turnout was high, with 72% of 63,209 eligible members voting.
Agreement on the three-year contract was announced Oct. 16, two days before a nationwide strike was set to begin. The contract specifies 3% annual raises, and makes progress on concerns about missed breaks, overwork, and lower pay on streaming productions. It escalates penalties for missed or delayed meals, guarantees at least 10 hours between shifts, and requires at least 54 hours off after members work five consecutive days in a week.
