Hollywood truckers and other essential trades unions announced Thursday that they have ratified their new contracts, which call for 7% wage increases across the board.
The five unions – which together represent about 8,000 workers – reached a tentative agreement Saturday evening with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The Local 399 Teamsters Union has been pushing for double-digit wage increases, along with a ban on self-driving trucks and a one-driver-per-truck minimum. But studios have been unwilling to break with the wage pattern set by the Screen Actors Guild and Theatrical Employees Association last year — annual increases of 7%, 4% and 3.5%.
Some labels were able to secure higher raises than that level. Negotiators were unable to secure minimum staffing or language on self-driving vehicles, though the AMPTP offered assurances that the studios had no plans to use self-driving trucks.
“Preparations for the next round of negotiations begin now,” Lindsay Dougherty, leader of the Local 399 Truckers Union, said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor technological advances, advocate for increased labor here in California, ensure that truckers and truckers only do our jobs, and fight for all film truckers to receive the compensation, working conditions, and respect they deserve.”
Truckers union members voted 96 percent in favor of the “Black Book” agreement, which covers drivers, handlers, animal handlers and mechanics. Site managers, who are represented by truckers union members, also supported their agreement by 98 percent.
The other four major trade unions approved their contracts by the following majorities: LiUNA! Local 724, laborers, 96%; IBEW Local 40, electricians, 92%; OPCMIA Local 755, plasterers, 97%; UA Local 78, plumbers, 97%.
With production still struggling to cover last year’s double strike, the contracts mean workers won’t have to worry about another industry shutdown this year. The Mineworkers and Quarries Union congratulated the unions in a statement.
“The significant economic gains, benefits, additional safety measures and quality of life improvements in these new contracts reflect the tremendous value and contributions that the hardworking members of these unions bring to Hollywood every day,” the studio group said. “These deals will contribute to a stronger, more stable future for the film industry — one that can continue to innovate and create and sustain good-paying jobs for its employees.”
