Casting Director Union Talks: Sides Still “Far Apart”

After failing to reach a new deal on Tuesday, casting directors and Hollywood studios plan to resume negotiations this week ahead of a Sept. 30 contract expiration.

This is according to a social media post; Truckers Local 399, which represents a group of approximately 700 casting directors, assistant casting directors and casting assistants based in Los Angeles and New York, along with Teamsters Local 817. “After all-day negotiations yesterday, we finally left AMPTP around 1 a.m. without a tentative agreement,” the Local said in a social media post on Wednesday. “It is clear that we will need more time to meet with Studios and Broadcasters as we remain fairly divided on fair compensation across all classifications.”

Union says ‘struggle’ continues Negative “The dates and times for additional negotiations this week and beyond will be determined soon. “Our negotiating committee is committed to reaching a tentative agreement that can be recommended for ratification prior to the contract expiration on Monday, September 30,” the union said. “Our member-led team is working around the clock to collaborate and advocate for all of our Los Angeles and New York Casting Professionals.”

Hollywood Reporter It has reached out to the Motion Picture and Television Producers Guild for comment.

Teamsters Locals Unions 399 and 817 first began bargaining with AMPTP on Aug. 26. After an initial week of talks, the group adjourned before resuming with two days of bargaining scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Teamsters Locals, which bargains on behalf of about 700 casting directors, assistant casting directors and casting assistants, have prioritized compensation for members in this round of bargaining. Negotiators said: safe minimum wage rates for casting directors, due to recent alleged downward pressure on their wages. They have also struggled to meaningfully increase wages for assistant casting directors, and for casting assistants, they have had to negotiate a full slate of union wages and benefits for casting assistants who unionized with the Teamsters and joined the union only a year ago. two weeks ago To begin negotiations.

In an interview THIRD Teamsters Local 817 casting director and negotiating committee member Bernie Telsey (The Gilded Age, In the heights) expressed Workforce and management has so far made progress on player assistant contract provisions. “(AMPTP negotiators) already seem to recognize that assistants are a major force and deserve healthcare, retirement and a seat at the table,” he said.

But Telsey and two other casting directors continued to emphasize that they want to see changes in compensation practices for casting professionals. Casting director and negotiating committee member Sherry Thomas (Bad Break, Barry), “We know where our boundaries are, and I think we’re all willing to stand firm within those boundaries. We know our value.”