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Political pressure is mounting on AMPTP to negotiate a fair deal with IATSE. Over the past two days, more than 200 Democratic state and federal lawmakers have signed letters to AMPTP President Carol Lombardini urging her to negotiate fairly and avoid a work stoppage during the pandemic. Union members began voting for leave to strike on Friday, and the results will be announced on Monday.
Fifty California State Senators and Assembly Members, including the most senior members of the Legislature, today sent Lombardini a letter urging AMPTP to negotiate “in good faith and cooperation” with the syndicate. Signatories include Pro Tempore State Senate Speaker Toni Atkins; speaker Anthony Rendon; Senate Labor Committee Chairman Dave Cortese; the chairman of the Assembly’s labor committee, Ash Kalra; Senator Maria Elena Durazo and Assembly Member Autumn Burke.
“AMPTP’s refusal to respond reasonably or responsibly to these and other important issues would have created an impasse and forced IATSE to hold a nationwide strike authorization vote on October 1 2021, “the lawmakers wrote (read the full letter here and below). “A strike would significantly disrupt the industry, the economy and the communities we represent. We hope that the two sides can negotiate in good faith and reach a consensual agreement, which obliges both sides to continue to participate in the ongoing negotiations. “
“The key issues in this negotiation, as we understand them, concern the dignity of workers and basic human needs. We are united in our belief in the importance of a living wage, sustainable benefits and reasonable rest periods between shifts and during the work day, ”the letter reads. “We call on AMPTP to negotiate collaboratively with these workers to achieve a fair contract and meet the basic human needs that will allow them to do their jobs safely and with dignity.”
The letter was signed by Senators Atkins, Allen, Becker, Caballero, Cortese, Durazo, L. Gonzalez, Hertzberg, Hueso, Laird, Leyva, Min, Newman, Portantino, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Umberg and Wiener; and by the members of the Rendon Assembly, Aguiar Curry, Bennett, Berman, Bloom, Boerner Horvath, Bonta, Burke, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chiu, Friedman, C Garcia, Gabriel, Gonzalez, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra , Lee, Levine, McCarty, Nazarian, O’Donnell, Quirk-Silva, L Rivas, R Rivas, Rubio, Santiago, Ward and Wicks.
Their letter is similar to that sent to Lombardini earlier today by 33 New York state lawmakers, and contains identical passages on “AMPTP’s refusal to respond reasonably or responsibly to these issues and to other important issues would have created a dead end. … “(Read this letter in full here.)
On Thursday, more than 100 Democrats in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives sent Lombardini an almost identical letter. AMPTP has yet to respond publicly.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) posted her own video in support of IATSE earlier today.
Here is the letter sent today by California lawmakers:
Dear Madame Lombardini:
California is home to the world’s most dynamic entertainment industry. We are all proud of the incredible productions made in California and the legislature has worked hard to push for bring work home. Our state’s investment has helped revive this industry and we are happy to see that production is booming.
On behalf of our constituents, who work, rely on, and benefit from working in this industry, we urge you to negotiate fair succession contracts with the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees (IATSE).
The men and women of IATSE, including production and department coordinators, editorial assistants, cinematographers, costumers, commanders, script supervisors, technicians, designers and other essential employees below the line, are the backbone of this industry. Their hard work, skills and dedication help create the magic of Hollywood.
These workers have risked their health and safety over the past year, working during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the film and television industry remains intact. Production has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, in large part thanks to the critical role these workers play in the creative process. The entertainment that you jointly produce helps heal our nation.
The key issues in this negotiation, as we understand them, concern the dignity of workers and basic human needs. We are united in our belief in the importance of a living wage, sustainable benefits and reasonable rest periods between shifts and during the work day.
AMPTP’s refusal to respond in a reasonable or responsible manner to these and other important issues would have created an impasse and forced IATSE to hold a nationwide strike authorization vote on October 1, 2021. A strike would significantly disrupt the industry, the economy and the communities we represent. . We hope that the two sides can negotiate in good faith and reach a consensual agreement, which obliges both sides to continue to participate in the ongoing negotiations.
The strong labor-management partnership in the entertainment industry has been essential to its success. It has also been essential for the ability of all unions and employers to respond to difficult issues impacting the industry, as evidenced by the unique COVID security protocols that were jointly agreed and put in place in 2020. We urge AMPTP to recognize the sacrifices made by workers in this industry, negotiate in good faith and enter into a fair contract to address fundamental issues of health and safety, reasonable working hours and fair compensation.
Behind every great movie and TV show is a hard-working team. Let’s work together to keep this industry thriving and ensure fair treatment for our skilled artisans and our team.
CC. Melissa Patack, Vice President, State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association
California IATSE Council
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