Hollywood Union Reaches Early Deal
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a tentative contract settlement this weekend covering 30,000 cinematographers, costume, set and production designers, art directors, lighting technicians and other behind-the-cameras workers mainly employed in Los Angeles. Settled eight months before the current contract is set to expire, the negotiations for the new three-year agreement were a far cry from the eleventh hour talks between studios and writers' and actors' unions that were a major cause of an industry slowdown last year. Although details of the proposed contract will not be released until IATSE members vote on it, the two sides have confirmed that it includes additional contributions from employers for workers' pension and health-care benefits, as well as incentives aimed at stemming the growing tide of runaway productions by providing incentives for filming in LA (see WIT's for April 22, and May 30, 2002, and Dec. 5 and 12, 2001).