Posted on 07/23/2010 10:37:34 PM PDT by Libloather
Major Hollywood studios threatened by Teamsters pay dispute
The union, which provides drivers who haul equipment to film sets, is expected to provide a strike authorization vote from members.
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times
July 24, 2010
Hollywood's drivers and the major studios continued last-ditch contract talks late Friday in an effort to avoid a head-on collision.
The local Teamsters branch, which represents drivers who haul equipment to film sets, has been negotiating for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the major studios.
But a major stumbling block has been a dispute over pay rates for more than 3,000 Teamsters drivers. Barring a last-minute compromise, union leaders are expected to seek a strike authorization vote from members Sunday. Crafts workers including electricians and laborers also are participating in the negotiations.
If members of Local 399 grant a strike authorization — often sought by union leaders to gain bargaining leverage — a walkout could occur as early as Aug. 1, when the current three-year contract expires.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
but hollywood loves unions.
Unemployment at almost 10% and they think it’s a good time to strike??
Ah, yes ... the yearly, let’s squeeze the Hollywood elite for more money event. Gata’ love unions.
No more new movies for you, Teamsters!
I’d almost say the groups of screaming lefties deserve one another.
Union thugs vs left-wing movie makers...do I care? I do not go to the movies, and I do not rent videos, and I do not have any piped in to my TV’s.
Let them go F... each other.
If the Teamsters DO go on strike, then what? Can Hollywood play hardball and hire all non-union independents to take their place?
Oh, no! Production of hollywood leftist drivel will cease and America will be brought to it’s knees.
Hollywood could, but who cares?
Maybe Hollywood will go on a sympathy strike.
Nooooo! We have a family friend who works in the entertainment industry, in a capacity that is non-union. Their family has been through hell because of strikes in the last couple of years, coupled with the usual problem of no income coming in if your show gets cancelled and the next one hasn’t started yet. One more financial setback and they will lose their house. There are many people in that industry who are affected when one union goes on strike.
Just kidding, of course. Hollywood would scramble for some way to get things done.
Yeah...where's Danny Glover huh? I think this is hysterical. Hope the Teamsters get n-a-s-t-y and thug-like.
We broke a strike here that started in late 69’ to 72’,,,
Eight of us were young vets and we all went to work armed,,,
The boss told us it was ok ,,,
Welcome in the building,,,
That was all we needed to hear,,,
Every night at about 19:00 we roared through the driveway
pedal to the metal,,,
Sadly those days are gone,,,
The damned unions take over private property and make the
owners bend to their will...
Where are all the AFTRA members standing with their union brethren?
Actors are so full of s%$t then you realize that of course they are, they lie for a living.
Hollywood millionaires need to start paying their fair share. :)
Roger Dat!,,,
I guess unions were a good thing for the miners long ago,,,
Now,,,even in a “right to work” state you still get the
money taken out of your check because they “helped” keep
your wages up!!! WTF!!!,,,
That’s stealin’ in my book,,,!
Just another money grab my FRiend...
I agree.
I have many friends in the industry. The last strike was devastating to many hard working, good people.
If your friends were smart (and young enough) they would pack up and head to New Zealand. NZ is looking for immigrants with experience in the TV/film industries and another strike will push more of the TV/film production offshore. Countries like NZ and Canada do not take anyone over 40 unless you are bringing alot of cash and a certificate of good health from one of the doctors certified by them to give you a physical-they don’t want you coming over to mooch off their socialized medicine schemes.
If they are over 40 and do not have a million dollars in cash they are toast-best for them to get out and start looking for other employment while they still can or go find some land where they can build a house and grow their own food. The toxic combination of unions, California/New York state governments is already killing the TV/film industries in those states and the choke hold is tightening. Add to that the fact that the TV/film industry is no longer a cash cow it once was and you are going to see alot of studios/production companies go under over the next couple years. Those who don’t will probably move out of California/New York altogether and when they do they will discover that they do not need to employ as many people as they used to.
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