IASTE Strike Update

October 16, 2021 - IATSE and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement, which means there will be no strike on Monday.  Production will continue on all shows.

Melissa A Malcom-Chavez

Trustee/Business Agent

Teamsters Local 492

505-344-1925 Ext 14

October 15, 2021 - As most of you have already heard, IATSE is set to strike at 12:01 am on Monday October 18, should they fail to reach an agreement with AMPTP. 

Everyone must understand that the Teamsters are NOT on strike!  However, we will stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of IATSE.  Most productions will be shut completely down, but not all are bound by the strike.  Movie of the Week productions are exempt from the strike, so if you are working on “Maggie Moore(s)” or “Rust”, you may continue to work.  HOWEVER, nobody is to cross a picket line for any reason.  There has been no confirmation about where the picket lines will be set up, but the assumption is that there will definitely be pickets at all of the studios. 

Since the Teamsters are NOT on strike, if you are currently working and get called to work, you must make an attempt to report.  That means that you will have to go as far as the picket lines and let your Captain know that you are at the picket line, but will not be crossing for safety reasons.

As far as strike benefits, there are none because the Teamsters are NOT on strike.  However, if you are working and the strike commences on Monday, you will be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. 

Should the strike happen, it is unknown how long it will last.  We can all speculate, but nobody knows for sure, so everyone needs to prepare to support our IATSE family for the long haul. 

We are Teamsters Local 492 strong, union strong and we stand in solidarity with IATSE during their fight for a good contract and better conditions.  Better conditions for them means better conditions for us. 

I will keep everyone updated as I get information, but feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.

September 27, 2021 - Local 492 would like to give an update on what everyone is hearing regarding the upcoming “strike authorization vote” that IATSE will be taking soon.  This vote will encompass all Hollywood locals and 13 unions covered by the Basic and Videotape agreements.  At this point, negotiations between AMPTP and IATSE have stalled and IATSE President Matt Loeb will not be recommending a contract to his membership that does not resolve its core priorities.  IATSE is not making unreasonable requests, including reasonable rest during and between workdays and weekends and equitable pay on streaming and “New Media”, plus a living wage for the lowest paid workers.   We, as Teamsters, know what it is like to not have enough rest at night and be on the road tired and falling asleep.  We have even lost some of our own when they fell asleep at the wheel after working 18+ hours. 

On October 1^st, 2021, IATSE will be holding a “strike authorization” vote with its membership.  On October 4^th, 2021, IATSE will go back to the table with AMPTP.  If the membership authorizes a strike and things do not progress on Monday, IATSE might go on strike as early as Tuesday October 5^th.  Please prepare yourselves for this, as Teamsters Local 492, the IBT and all Teamsters Locals across the country will stand in SOLIDARITY with our sisters and brothers in IATSE.  Productions in NM will shut down during the strike and Teamsters will NOT cross picket lines. 

It is unknown how long the strike will last if/when it happens.  Since the Teamsters are not on strike, you will not be eligible for strike benefits.  However, you will be eligible for unemployment.

IATSE is paving the way for better safety, respect and dignity in the workplace, as the Teamster negotiations will follow.  Their fight will make ours easier when the time comes, so please let your fellow IATSE family know that the Teamsters stand with them in their fight and will keep and will fight the fight along side of them.  We are one film family in NM and we are all in this together.

Updates will send out as I receive them, so please check in with either myself or the stewards.

In Solidarity,

Melissa A. Malcom-Chavez

Teamsters Local 492 Trustee/Film BA