Leaders from IATSE’s 13 West Coast Studio Locals distributed the following joint letter to members regarding the ongoing Hollywood Basic Agreement Negotiations:
Dear members,
As the 13 Hollywood Locals have successfully concluded their Local-specific negotiations, we are shifting focus back to the bigger challenge ahead of all of us.
The upcoming Basic Agreement/General Negotiations, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, April 29, will be both more complex and consequential, as they encompass the larger and most important issues impacting the crafts represented by the 13 Hollywood Locals.
Our General proposals include:
- Significant wage increases
- Artificial Intelligence: Various approaches to implementing protections for our varied IA crafts
- Adjusting and/or eliminating some of the sideletters
- Addressing subcontracting issues
- Additional residual funding for the MPIPHP
- Establishing a 401(k) that is a supplement to our pension and IAP
- Increasing penalties for rest periods
- Enhancing sick leave
- Improving the wage differences in different genres under the Videotape Agreement
We must secure a substantial amount of additional income into the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPIPHP). Actuarial projections currently indicate that amount will total approximately $670 million over the course of a new three-year agreement. A significant portion of that is due to the loss of employment resulting in a reduction of reported hours last year and continuing today. Also, funds from reserves in the MPI health plan were utilized to extend eligibility, ensuring continued coverage for participants.
In addition to these financial considerations, we are deeply aware of the desire to improve health and pension benefits for our members. We’ve thoroughly assessed various options and are currently evaluating the economic ramifications of further expanding the approximately $670 million required to sustain the MPIPHP.
Together, we remain united, committed to securing a tentative agreement that members across all 13 locals will be pleased to ratify. Updates will be provided throughout the process.
