Latest in Labor

The history of labor unions and social change in America are obviously deeply entwined. Now a portion of that alliance is marching to increasing inclusion and opportunity in Hollywood with studios, streamers and Tyler Perry. The Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700 has teamed up with SunWise Media co-founder Ri-Karlo Handy…

As Hollywood and major league sports’ restarting looks to be stymied by soaring coronavirus cases, some of the biggest players in the arena want Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi to change the rules of the game in their favor. "Whether it be professional and collegiate sporting events, the next must-see film, a…

Leaders of IATSE, which represents thousands of theatrical stage workers across the country, today acknowledged the union's role in failing to upend "systemic racism in the arts and entertainment industry." Calling for industrywide action, they vowed to do the “hard work” needed to "create real, lasting change." "We…

Actors’ Equity Association is calling on Walt Disney World in Florida to follow California’s Disneyland in postponing its reopening due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to strengthen safety protocols with regular testing, the union said today. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, currently is planning a…

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ri-Karlo Handy is the co-founder of Sunwise Media, a production company based in Pasadena.  Over a 25-year career in the entertainment industry, Handy has been an editor and producer for networks like BET, MTV, and OWN. Joining then start-up network Bounce TV in 2013, he became the SVP of Original…

Kate Shindle has been re-elected president of Actors' Equity, the union representing more than 51,000 theatrical actors and stage managers. She was first elected to the post in 2015, having previously served as the union's eastern regional vice president. She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde, with other…

Actors' Equity said today that it is "taking steps to become an anti-racist organization." A formal resolution passed by the union's council regarding the Black Lives Matter movement states that Equity "recognizes the impact that systemic racism and white supremacy have had on its own structures, acknowledges its…

Ray Hair, president of the American Federation of Musicians, has added his voice to the chorus of industry union leaders supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, while pledging "to continue to confront the ways our union and the music industry have contributed to persistent systemic racism." "The unconscionable…

UPDATED with more details: Hollywood's unions released their detailed protocols today for the safe reopening of the film and TV industry – a joint effort by the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Teamsters. The 36-page report implements the more general guidelines set forth in a White Paper on reopening that was issued by…

Safety protocols for restarting film & TV production in COVID-era Los Angeles were announced just under the wire on Thursday. They include: – Health checks for all vendors and employees when they arrive on set – Protocol and workflow assessment to ensure proper social distancing and infection control – Designation of…

SAG-AFTRA leaders today called upon police unions to change with the times "or lose all support from their fellow labor organizations and the public at large." In a joint statement, SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris and national executive director David White said: "We support convening a meeting of affiliate…

As the film and television industry prepares to restart, reopening live entertainment venues might prove more difficult in the coronavirus era. To meet the challenge, IATSE is developing a Stagecraft Safety Committee Recovery Plan for work in legit theaters, arenas, stadiums and at other live events. The plan, which…