TV & Film Strike Looms Over Labor Conditions | Streaming Services

IATSE Strike Authorization Vote: A Potential Production Shutdown

Update: Members of IATSE have overwhelmingly authorized a strike. This authorization doesn't guarantee a strike will occur, but empowers the union should negotiations with the AMPTP once again reach an impasse. IATSE President Matthew Loeb stated, “The responsibility now lies with them. A reasonable offer will prevent a strike.”

The Core of the Dispute

A disagreement concerning working conditions within “new media” companies – including Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV – threatens to halt productions nationwide if the strike vote passes. Thousands of on- and off-set personnel assert they aren’t receiving adequate compensation, breaks, safety protocols, and other essential provisions.

This situation stems from a contractual exception that exempts these companies from standard film and television labor regulations.

Widespread Attention and Worker Concerns

The conflict has garnered significant coverage within the entertainment industry. Celebrities and studios have expressed support, while numerous workers have shared accounts of challenging work experiences on these productions.

The Origins of the Issue: A 2009 Agreement

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) explains that the root of the problem lies in a 2009 agreement. This agreement was established when companies like Netflix were nascent in original content creation and lacked the established labor infrastructure of traditional studios.

Due to perceived economic uncertainties, these “new media” companies were granted “greater flexibility” regarding on-set union regulations, intended to facilitate their entry into the industry.

A Call for Updated Standards

However, the 2009 agreement stipulated that a revised agreement should be implemented once these services achieved economic viability. IATSE contends that this time has now arrived.

Considering Netflix’s current position as an industry leader, and the substantial investments made by Disney, Apple, and Amazon in major media productions, few would likely disagree.

Disparities in Working Conditions

Despite their success, workers on productions like upcoming seasons of Jack Ryan or Bridgerton may not receive the same guarantees regarding lunch breaks, working hour limits, or appropriate wages as those on “old media” productions. (It’s worth noting that the Lord of the Rings series was initially cited as an example, but it’s a New Zealand-based production not covered by IATSE.)

Image Credits: IA_stories / Instagram

While not all productions under these companies are problematic, the absence of guaranteed standards has led to what many describe as systemic exploitation.

Workers often find themselves working beyond their paid hours, foregoing holidays and weekends, and earning less than they would for comparable work on productions governed by traditional studio standards like Universal or A24.

The Demand for Content and its Human Cost

These companies are investing billions to compete for subscribers, producing dozens of shows simultaneously on accelerated schedules. The pressure to deliver new content, like a new season of Stranger Things, is immense.

However, comparatively little attention has been given to the human cost of this relentless content creation.

A Pattern of Exploitation?

This situation mirrors a common trend within the tech industry, where companies emphasize “innovation” while distancing themselves from negative consequences. Similar concerns arise frequently with companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon, Uber, and DoorDash.

It’s unsurprising that some of these same companies are reportedly fostering exploitative work environments, given their existing practices.

Negotiations Stall and Strike Vote Initiated

Negotiations between IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have stalled, prompting the union to seek a strike authorization vote from its members.

A successful vote will likely lead to a final opportunity for “new media” companies to present a satisfactory proposal before widespread production halts.

A Call for Dignity and Solidarity

“We are united in our demand for improved working conditions throughout the industry,” stated IATSE President Matthew Loeb in a recent press release. “If the major corporations comprising the AMPTP remain unwilling to address our core concerns and treat workers with dignity, collective solidarity will be necessary to effect change.”

While a strike is undesirable for all parties, it would serve as a powerful demonstration of organized labor’s ability to disrupt an industry perceived as hostile to its workers. Hopefully, negotiations will succeed, ensuring that production professionals receive the respect and benefits they deserve.