October 13, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CA — In a display of continued unity, the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts — encompassing Teamsters Local 399, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, OPCMIA Local 755, and UA Local 78 — issued a joint statement in support of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in their ongoing negotiations with the studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
“Our members work side-by-side for the same handful of employers, and our unions and guilds collectively stand more united than ever.
Each day a fair contract addressing actors’ unique priorities is delayed is another day working professionals across our industry suffer unnecessarily. At this point, it should be clear to the studios and the AMPTP that more is needed than proposals which merely replicate the terms negotiated with other unions.
We collectively demand the AMPTP resumes negotiations in good faith immediately, make meaningful moves at the negotiating table with SAG-AFTRA to address performers’ specific needs, and make the fair deal they deserve.”
ABOUT AFM
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is the largest organization in the world representing professional instrumental musicians playing in orchestras, bands, clubs, and theater—both on Broadway and on tour. AFM members make music for film, television, commercials, and sound recordings. The AFM negotiates fair agreements, protects ownership of recorded music, secures benefits such as health care and pension, and lobbies for musicians and the rights of workers.
ABOUT THE DGA
In the eight decades since its founding in 1936, the DGA has fought for the economic and creative rights of its members; protected their ability to financially benefit from the reuse of their work; established strong pension and health plans; and established jurisdiction in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today we represent more than 19,000 directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, new media and other audiovisual media.
ABOUT IATSE
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 168,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit iatse.net
ABOUT IBT MOTION PICTURE DIVISION
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Motion Picture Division of the Teamsters represents over 12,000 members in North America who work on feature, television, commercial, and theatrical productions produced across the United States, Canada and around the globe.
ABOUT HOLLYWOOD BASIC CRAFTS
Hollywood Basic Crafts, comprised of Teamsters Local 399, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (IBEW), Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!), United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA) and Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA) Local 755, collectively represent close to 8,000 members working in the Entertainment Industry.
ABOUT WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in film, television, broadcast and streaming news, podcasts, and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit wgaeast.org.
ABOUT WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA WEST
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio, and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.