Blue collar Hollywood is feeling the effects of Joe Biden’s skyrocketing cost of living, prompting the labor unions that represent production crews to demand larger salary rise guarantees from the major studios.
In the midst of contract negotiations with Hollywood studios, IATSE and the Teamsters—who both supported Biden in 2020—are deeply involved in the industry’s ongoing turmoil stemming from significant budget cuts that have led to a significant decrease in film and television productions.
In what was a booming sector just a short while ago during the Donald Trump administration, you have a recipe for widespread financial suffering when you add to it the rapidly rising costs of consumer goods and services.
Lindsay Dougherty, the top negotiator for Teamsters, told Deadline this week, “We are in a time now where our members still faced inflation, more than only one year, and then went through a dual strike, where they did not have any pay during that time.”
The Teamsters stated that, in light of recent Hollywood wage agreements with other unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, its members anticipate at least a 7 percent increase in their contracts.
We anticipate that in its current discussions, IATSE will want comparable wage rise assurances.
The unions used to bargain for a minimum pay raise of three percent for their members. However, due to deflation, that number is now unattainable as unionized Hollywood workers battle to find employment during a period of studio budget cuts.
In addition to cutting $7.5 billion in expenditures, the Walt Disney Company also planned to slash $2 billion in expenses, as Breitbart News revealed, resulting in the layoff of 7,000 employees. Warner Bros, Paramount Global, Discovery, and Amazon / MGM Studios are among the other studios making cuts.
Budget cuts have impacted the quantity of approved TV series. Because of this, blue-collar workers, who were overflowing with employment options during the so-called “peak TV” era, are now struggling to find work.
IATSE just declared it will support Biden once more for reelection, despite the fact that thousands of its members are experiencing financial hardship.
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