I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters Rate Changes 2023

When working with union crews and talent for your productions, advertisers and producers are subjected to contract agreements for these union members and must abide by specific contractual obligations according to each entertainment union. 

As the entertainment industry evolves and changes their approach to film production over time, so does their work interaction with crews and talent. Therefore, it is important for each entertainment union to adjust and update their contract agreements accordingly. 

As of recently, we have seen different entertainment unions such as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA unable to come to an agreement and have since undergone strikes to protect its members rights. 

During these strikes, I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters have entered a new contract agreement, affecting commercials specifically under the AICP agreement. 

In this blog we will discuss both entertainment crew unions; I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters and what's updated in 2023. You’ll learn:

• What is I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters?

• Why you’d want to hire an I.A.T.S.E. and Teamster member for a production 

• What I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters contract updates were made and how they’ll impact your productions

What is I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters?

Entertainment unions are necessary for crews and talent working on productions to ensure their rights are being protected when working on their film projects. 

Entertainment unions vary on the different workers they represent within the entertainment industry; from actors being covered under SAG-AFTRA, writers represented by the WGA, and crew members rights, interest, wages, health and retirement represented by crew unions such as I.A.T.S.E and Teamsters. 

Here, we discuss more about I.A.T.S.E and Teamsters and who they represent:

1. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.)

   The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) covers crew members in the entertainment industry including technicians, artisans and craft people including:

   • Camera employees

   • Hair and make-up

   • Sound

   • Editing

   • Medics

   • Production Design

   I.A.T.S.E. is represented by different locals organized according to craft and region throughout the US and Canada covering workers in the arts, media and crafts under productions. 

2. Teamsters

   Teamsters is a labor union that represents certain crew workers in the Motion Picture Industry including:

   • Drivers

   • Location managers

   • Casting directors

   • Animal handlers and trainers 

   • Mechanics

   • Dispatchers

   • Warehousemen 

   Crew members work in all types of productions such as feature films, television programs, commercials, and new media productions.

Why would a producer / advertiser want to hire an I.A.T.S.E. and Teamster member for a production?

Working with a union crew for your next production means adding qualified experienced professionals to your project. Union crew members save time and provide quality craftmanship for your production. 

What are the recent updates from I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters?

I.A.T.S.E.

The most notable update to I.A.T.S.E. is AICP I.A.T.S.E. rates will go by 3% on October 1st. 

Additionally, I.A.T.S.E. has received historic support from Marvel VFX Workers as they unanimously vote to unionize with the union. This will allow I.A.T.S.E. to protect and secure standard work environments for crew members within Marvel’s in-house VFX during productions.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment as it is the first time VFX has unionized with I.A.T.S.E. and further demonstrates solidarity from workers to unite amid the ongoing strikes with other unions. 

Teamsters 

As of June 30th, 2023, Teamsters entered into a new 3-year agreement with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP).

Significant changes in the new agreement includes:

• Increases to the 3 year agreement are as follows:

• Year 1:  3% economic recovery adjustment plus 3% increase to the scale rate.

• Year 2: 4% to the scale rate.

• Year 3: 4% to the scale rate. 

• The new rates include a minimum wage increase of 6%, 4% and some groups up to 20%.

• Hyphenated drivers or teamster drivers taking on multiple roles within a production will see a bump from $5 to $13 an hour in their new wage rate.

• The local unions affected under the new contract agreement are Teamsters 817 NY and Teamsters 399 LA

How these changes impact your productions:

Productions hiring union performers and crew under the new contracts with I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters should make themselves familiar with these new rates and accommodate their budget accordingly.

Words From Our Crew Union Signatory Supervisor, Alexsia Brown

Alexsia Brown, our Crew Union Signatory Supervisor is our expert in the crew signatory department building relationships with I.A.T.S.E., Teamsters and the WGA. 

Her thoughts on the new rates applied to both I.A.T.S.E and Teamsters is the following:

“They are fair and good for crew members especially during times of inflation. These changes help crew members significantly. Other entertainment labor unions alike should consider the same structure to avoid delays on contract renewals and prevent further strikes in the future.”

Conclusion

Keeping yourself fresh to the latest updates and changes on contracts for your union members is essential for advertisers and producers who plan to work with union crew workers to ensure you budget their productions accordingly. 

CMS Productions is a third-party union signatory signed directly to the AICP I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters 399 (LA) and 817 (NY) agreements and can service on almost all kinds of productions including:

• Commercials / Promos

• Music Videos

• Live Events

• Features

• BTS / EPK (Behind the Scenes content)

• Television

• New Media

  Contact us today to see how we can service your next production with crew signatory support.
  
  

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