A union leader in Hollywood said his 60,000 workers would go on strike on Monday if there was no agreement for better working conditions

• According to IATSE, more than 60,000 entertainment workers will go on strike next week if negotiations are not concluded.

• Negotiations between crew members and studios have been at an impasse for several months.

• A strike could bring numerous television and film projects to a standstill – severely disrupting an industry already affected by COVID.

The ongoing battle between Hollywood employees and major studios has reached a boiling point and could spill over into the entire entertainment industry next week.

More than 60,000 film and television workers from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), a union for film crew members in Hollywood, are on the verge of an industry-wide strike. IATSE President Matthew Loeb tweeted on Wednesday that he intends to officially launch a strike on Monday unless an agreement is reached between the IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

“We will continue to negotiate with producers this week in the hope of reaching an agreement that addresses core issues such as adequate rest periods, meal breaks and a living wage for those at the lower end of the pay scale,” Loeb said in the tweet.

“However, the current pace of negotiations does not convey any sense of urgency. Without an end date, we could go on talking forever. IATSE film and television workers have a right to have their basic needs met NOW,” Loeb continued.

Union members pushed for improved working conditions, such as longer rest breaks and wage increases for lower-paid tradespeople. Social media was filled with personal accounts from union members about difficult work experiences, which dampened support from other major entertainment unions such as SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America, as well as well-known industry figures.

Earlier this month, IATSE members voted to strike, with over 98% of members voting in favor of a strike. According to Deadline, the union and producers resumed collective bargaining on Wednesday, eight days after the strike was authorized. The unions have been engaged in multiple negotiations since July, but the parties have repeatedly failed to agree on a deal.

“Despite our best efforts at the bargaining table, the pace of negotiations does not reflect the urgency of the situation,” Cathy Repola, national executive director of the Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, said in a message to her members on Tuesday. “After overwhelmingly voting to strike, employers repeatedly refuse to do what it takes to reach a fair deal. They either fail to recognize what has changed in our industry and our members, or they don’t care. Or both.”

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the entertainment industry, creating a labor shortage that could impact everything from live television shows to streaming hits to feature films. Studios are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to disrupt production schedules and theatrical releases.

If the action takes place on Monday, it would be only the second crew strike in Hollywood history.

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