Doughtery tells Deadline shes expecting the same in return.
Watch on Deadline
So far, the details on those proposals are not drilled down.
Overall, the pension fund has underperformed in recent years, due a variety of factors including market forces.
Lindsay Dougherty
She also takes aim at powerful producers for whom she says the rules dont apply.
DEADLINE: Lets talk through some of your priorities during this bargaining cycle.
Of course, benefits are a big one.
LINDSAY DOUGHERTY:The priorities for our members are always pension and health.
Thats part of being under a collective bargaining agreement is having a Cadillac healthcare plan.
So obviously, thats important to preserve that.
And then secondly, pension contributions.
So that is something that weve looked at.
So thats one of our big issues as well.
DEADLINE: Youve already begun discussing benefits with the AMPTP, jointly with the other unions.
Do you feel like progress is being made?
Has it helped to have the other unions there as well?
DOUGHERTY:I think so.
I think itll even improve as years pass, because we obviously havent done this before.
The last time that weve truly bargained alongside them is in 1988.
DEADLINE: What about wage increases?
This is already becoming a hot-button issue with IATSE.
What are you looking for on that front?
So these are obviously things that were all looking at and then basing our proposals off that these facts.
What is your response to something like that?
You see the bounce back from COVID, obviously, that was the height of the streaming bubble.
Thats just a different game.
This is not something that just started in 2023 or 2024.
This has been ongoing.
We have taken concessions years ago when the studios werent doing so well.
Its the epicenter of motion picture making.
DEADLINE: As I mentioned, IATSE is already struggling with the wage increase proposals.
They dont do anything out of the kindness of their hearts.
I think in this contract cycle, theyre going to bargain hard.
The expiration of all of our agreements are July 31.
DEADLINE: What about streaming, particularly when it comes to residuals.
What are the priorities there?
Well, now were in a different time where we have seen the success.
So these concessions that were made, now the unions are trying to claw back.
Were not getting the funds from that, and we need that.
We need that during times that there may not be as many contribution hours going into the fund.
DEADLINE: From a process standpoint, the residuals pay into the pension fund, as you said.
So it doesnt really matter.
They sell aproduct, and thats it.
They make the profit.
They dont continue to reuse it.
So thats where it is similar.
DEADLINE: I assume AI will also be part of the conversation?
DOUGHERTY:Oh yeah.
So the studios know that we will be making a proposal.
DEADLINE: I want to dial in a bit further on production leaving the U.S.
This is a huge concern for many below-the-line folks.
That means lesser wages, lesser working conditions and things of that nature.
So were talking to these politicians, we have been for the last year.
But that is our fight.
Not only do we negotiate with these companies in bargaining, but weve been fighting for their tax credits.
Because, at the end of the day, theyre going to have to pay to play.
We see it all the time.
There are no rules, is what it seems to be, and the studios know that.
DOUGHERTY:These directors that wont even break for lunch.
Like Taylor Sheridan, Ill say it, wont break for lunch.
I mean, those are the shows that are out of control.
DEADLINE: Is there anything else you feel like you want to touch on regarding your upcoming negotiations?
DOUGHERTY:I would say that the underlying theme of most of our proposals is respect.
And then theres other unions and guilds that are obviously treated differently in Hollywood.
DEADLINE:IATSE has already made it clear they wont extend past the July 31 deadline.
Does the same go for the Teamsters?
That mandate has been communicated to the AMPTP.
I have told AMPTP we will not be extending their contracts.
