Hollywood is being described as in turmoil as up to 200,000 backstage workers voted to go on strike.
And celluloid captains of the industry of dreams and riches beyond belief fear that the curtains will drop on multi-million productions.
More than 98 per cent of union members have voted for the strike, according to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
It’s not an unexpected action though, unions has been fighting for years for shorter working hours, safer conditions and better benefits.
President of the IATSE, Matthew Loeb, said: “This vote is about the quality of life as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry. Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep, and a weekend. They deserve nothing less than a living wage.”
Hourly wages for television, video and film camera operators are about $32.50 – $5.43 more than the average wage in the U.S. For too long the star-makers have been cashing in on cheap talent, they say.
It is 14 years since writers in Hollywood went on strike for three and a half months and that shutdown cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.
This strike will be far more damaging, involving members from almost every area and stage of production.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said it has put forward an offer. But negotiations are likely to continue even if IATSE members vote “yes”.
Stars and celebrities are supporting IATSE – names include Seth Rogen, Jane Fonda, Danny DeVito, Sarah Paulson, and Ben Stiller.
IATSE says AMPTP hasn’t addressed:
- Excessively unsafe and harmful working hours.
- Unlivable wages for the lowest paid crafts.
- Reasonable rest during meal breaks, between workdays, and on weekends.
- New media streaming project workers get paid less.
Writers room assistants, art department and script coordinators have hourly rates under $18, with some workers claiming they’ve had to sell blood to make ends meet.
Now that the strike is authorized, IATSE and AMPTP will return to the bargaining table, with negotiations expected to last at least three weeks. If a deal fails to materialize, the workers will then go on strike.
It would be the largest Hollywood work stoppage since 1945, when 12,000 workers walked out over unions linked to studios and the mafia.
These are the five highest-grossing movies of all time:
- Avatar (2009) – $2.9 billion
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) – $2.8 billion
- Titanic (1997) – $2.2 billion
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2011) – $2.1 billion
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – $2.1
- #tinseltown #hollywood #strike #backroomworkers
- #editors #IATSE #MAFIA #1945
