New Contract For Teamsters Local 399 & Basic Crafts Includes Enhanced New-Media Pay Rates, More Funding For Pension & Health Plan

deadline.com:

The tentative agreement for a new three-year film and TV contract covering Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399 and the Basic Crafts includes higher wages, more overtime penalties and additional money for benefits to secure their pension and health plan.

And for the first time, the new contract includes a budget-based new-media deal that eliminates the lowest rung on the pay scale.The agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, which was reached Friday, will be put to a ratification vote of the members next week.

The Basic Crafts include IBEW Local 40, Studio Utility Employees Local 724, Studio Plumbers Local 78 and Studio Plasterers Local 755.“My marching orders were clear; to protect, preserve and improve the livelihood of our members,” said Lindsay Dougherty, the unions’ chief negotiator and Local 399’s recording secretary, business agent and organizer. “Our members are the boots on the ground, and our members’ involvement in negotiations brought power to the bargaining table.

I am proud to report that every member of our rank-and-file bargaining committee is unanimously recommending the tentative agreement for ratification.”“It’s not enough for the studios to say they value the time and hard work of our members,” she said. “This tentative agreement has included gains that demonstrate the studios’ commitment to address some of our core issues.