Union leaders from the Teamsters Local 399 and IBEW Local 40 say “the ball is now in the employers’ court to set the tone for our final month of negotiations.”

Leaders of the Hollywood Basic Crafts union coalition have criticized studios and streamers for an alleged “lack of urgency” in ongoing negotiations. After completing their second week of targeted talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, coalition chairperson Lindsay Dougherty and four other leaders stated on Friday that they are not interested in “bargaining against ourselves.” They noted a perceived delay from employers in addressing key issues affecting their members.

The coalition includes Teamsters Local 399, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, UA Local 78, and OPCMIA Local 755, representing around 7,600 crew members such as drivers, location managers, electricians, and plasterers. Many of their contracts are set to expire on July 31. Union leaders, including IBEW Local 40 business manager Stephan Davis, LiUNA! Local 724 secretary-treasurer Alex Aguilar, OPCMIA Local 755 principal officer Carlo Perez, and UA Local 78 business agent Hector Rosales, emphasized their desire for productive discussions rather than extending agreements past expiration.

Negotiations will resume on July 1, while the Basic Crafts will join IATSE next week to bargain over shared benefits plans. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the AMPTP for comment.

The Hollywood Basic Crafts began targeted negotiations with studios and streamers on June 10, initially exchanging proposals and advocating for the expansion of California’s film and television tax credit program. This week, the union group offered counterproposals on the Basic Crafts contract and the Teamsters Local 399’s Black Book and location managers contracts. The union leaders have highlighted core labor issues, including wages, working conditions, and retirement benefits, while seeking parity between different working groups.

“Many conditions we are asking for are the same that Motion Picture Industry workers already receive in Hollywood and other parts of the country from these same companies,” stated the union leaders. “We entered these negotiations with an overarching priority of respect for the skilled workforce that plays an integral role in bringing Hollywood to life.”