Latest in Labor

2ND UPDATE, 9 AM: UTA co-president Jay Sures just sent an email confirming the deal with the WGA — and it’s a labor-relations whopper. “After many long discussions and significant work by both sides, we've successfully found middle ground that sets asides our core differences,” Sures stated in the three-page letter…

EXCLUSIVE: As the industry begins to reopen, Steve Dayan, secretary-treasurer of Hollywood's Teamsters Local 399, told his members today that "we are slowly starting to see some of our members return to work as we continue to engage in discussions with the other guilds and unions and the AMPTP to develop industry-wide…

EXCLUSIVE: Ron Valentine, business agent of IATSE Stagehands Local 33 in Los Angeles, says he doesn't expect concerts, sporting events and theatrical productions to return with audiences until 2021. Even so, he's hopeful that the show will go on, even if it has to be without live audiences. "We have been in…

The Los Angeles teachers union has called for district school campuses to remain closed and online learning to continue when the 2020-2021 school year starts on Aug. 18. The UTLA posted a notice on its website Thursday night calling on administrators to implement the request. The union also issued a report that…

UPDATED with statement from Unite for Strength and USAN: Patricia Richardson, president of the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local, urged the guild's members today to vote no on the union's new film and TV contract. "The deal isn't good enough, and now is the time to fix it," she said during a Zoom press conference with other…

Actors' Equity has approved the first two theaters to resume performances since the nationwide shuttering of playhouses in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The theaters, a pair of regional venues in Massachusetts, have agreed to safety protocols that include testing for Equity members and those who come in…

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Elias, business rep of IATSE Script Supervisors Local 871, has been on leave for unspecified reasons. Elias, who has been the local's top staffer since January, could not be reached for comment. Katie Murphy, the union's assistant business rep, declined requests for details, telling Deadline to…

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…