IATSE Announces 15 Hollywood Locals Have Ratified New Contract With AMPTP

Statement by the AMPTP:

“The ratification vote by IATSE members is good news for our entire industry. This is the fifth major entertainment labor agreement ratified over the last year, and it will help bring stability to our business at a time of enormous economic uncertainty. We look forward to working with IATSE members — and with everyone else in our industry — to emerge from today’s significant challenges with a strong and growing business.

Updates Cinematographers Local 600, Editors Local 700, Sound Technicians Local 695 Ratify IATSE-AMPTP Contract

Los Angeles, Mar. 20 – The 15 Hollywood-based locals representing over 35,000 members of the IATSE working in motion picture and television production have ratified the new Hollywood Basic Agreement with the AMPTP. The three year contract, which will go into effect August 1, 2009, was tentatively proposed last November, with drafting completed last month.At the time of the November negotiations, IA President Matthew D. Loeb stated, “This was a tough negotiation during tough economic times but both sides worked hard and negotiated reasonably to come to this agreement.”

After each of the 15 locals covered under the new contract ratified the agreement, Loeb added, “We have delivered a strong contract in a very chaotic economic climate. We feel we have given our members the best protection we can at a time when the bottom is falling out of a lot of traditional business models. We look forward to three years of labor stability and a commitment to keeping our members working.”

Terms and conditions of the agreement are in line with industry standards as established in recent negotiations and with applicable modifications for the particular needs of IATSE members.

The IATSE is an International Union that represents members employed in the stagecraft, motion picture and television production, and trade show industries throughout the United States, its Territories, and Canada.