IATSE & Studios Set June 24 Return To Bargaining Table With Just One Month Until Contracts Expire

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The temperature is rising, but it’s not another Hot Labor Summer in Hollywood – yet.

IATSE and the studios have penciled in a return to negotiations in about two weeks on a new deal on the Hollywood Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement.

The sit-down on a three-year contract for the two agreements is set to start on June 24 and wrap up on June 27, the Matt Loeb-run union told members this evening.

Teamsters and other crafts kicked off negotiations of their own today. IATSE’s missive also comes four days after the parties hit the pause button on their weeks of on-again, off-again talks. As Deadline reported last week, big differences over wage increases and benefits still remain.

In a note to members on June 6, IATSE leaders put a measured face on things, explaining they had blown past the June 5 deadline with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The correspondence added that “negotiations have largely been productive, with the Basic Negotiating Committee and the studios reaching consensus on a number of issues.”

Today an even circumspect than usual Loeb told IATSE, “We look forward to concluding our bargaining with the AMPTP and reaching an agreement that our members will be proud to ratify.” 

For clarity, the Basic Agreement covers the around 50,000 members of the mainly L.A.-based 13 West Coast Locals. The Area Standards Agreement is for the 23 Locals across the nation and their 20,000 members.

The current contracts are up on July 31. IATSE has said it is will not be extending the present deals past that deadline.