In fact, two separate contracts are on the table for IATSE.
Do you think anything will be different with Carol Lombardini and gang after last years strikes?
What Im interested in is meaningful discussions that address real issues.
Its a mistake because of the constructive role of unions in Hollywood and around the country and entertainment.
It would be foolhardy in my opinion, for anybody to believe that we will just take any deal.
DEADLINE:How do you mean?
Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 399 Lindsay Dougherty speaks at aWGA&SAG-AFTRArally on July 19, 2023 // Credit: GettyGetty Images
LOEB:Security that in this precarious business is not dependable enough.
It need to be.
When I say that Im talking about the benefits.
Thats the big message, and maybe Ill be saying it a little louder on Sunday.
The reason for it is twofold.
One, theyre in our benefit plans, our benefit points to their benefit plans as well.
So, their interests are identical to ours.
From where I sit, this is really about security in an industry that is precarious already.
DEADLINE:So, this is a two-track thing in many ways?
LOEB:Theyre not separate.
For us, IATSE I mean, I dont anticipate that were going to finish.
I mean, I hope that we do finish the benefits forthwith, but it may take some time.
In terms of the general proposals, were going to start bargaining on those probably also next week.
As you’re able to gather, theres going to be some process involved.
That doesnt mean that its a separate part of the agreement.
Theres no world in which we make a deal on benefits and not wages or vice versa.
I think that labor in Hollywood also reflects a movement in the country.
DEADLINE:How do you see that?
If you look at the public opinion about unions today, the numbers are very good.
Were in an environment with a president who has been pro labor his entire life.
So, were in the sweet spot, right now with the labor movement.
LOEB:Could go either way.
But also, I think people can get ramped up behind politics and behind this race especially.
We want to make that permanent.
So, where are things at with a strike authorization vote this year?
A strike vote is always possible and I cant rule it out.
We want our folks to be best equipped as they can be at the table.
IATSE obviously has its own AI concerns.
We just have to have a human based approach.
Thats the root of how they get their benefits and the rest of their security.
You know, its a little more difficult for us because weve got so many different crafts and trades.
Maybe thats a way we can make this work in the right way.
Im looking at the challenges, the effects of AI, the technology thats coming to the distribution changes.
Weve been in the gig economy since 1893.
We know its precarious, but things can be done and should be done to make folks more secure.
