60-Hour Workweeks Common in Film, TV, Global Union Survey Shows – The Hollywood Reporter
A worldwide survey by skilled guilds of working circumstances has discovered lengthy working hours at the moment are the norm throughout the movie and tv industries worldwide, with 50 to 60-hour workweeks widespread amongst manufacturing crew members within the 20 international locations surveyed.
The preliminary outcomes of the survey by the UNI International Union, a world affiliation of unions and guilds within the media and leisure sector, have been revealed Wednesday in assist of UNI’s U.S. affiliate, the Worldwide Affiliation of Theatrical Stage Workers (IATSE). The 53,000 IATSE members voted virtually unanimously over the weekend in favor of a nationwide strike in opposition to movie and TV productions if the guild can’t attain a brand new deal on working circumstances with the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP).
IATSE and the AMPTP resumed bargaining talks Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to avert a walkout.
The UNI survey, which is drawn from a examine of unions representing greater than 150,000 behind-the-scenes staff from 20 international locations, means that points raised by the IATSE in its negotiations are international, not nationwide issues.
“Recurrent additional time and inadequate relaxation throughout and between workdays just isn’t the exception however the rule, and manufacturing crew have stated sufficient is sufficient,” stated UNI International Union Normal Secretary, Christy Hoffman in an announcement. “The massive assist expressed by [IATSE] staff in favor of a strike authorization make it very clear to multinational employers that it’s time for change.”
The U.S. trade has an outsized impression on working requirements within the movie and TV industries due to the scale and affect of Hollywood studios and U.S.-based streaming giants resembling Netflix and Amazon Prime. Worldwide guilds want to the IATSE to set increased requirements for the therapy of movie and tv crews.
“The members have spoken loud and clear,” stated IATSE Worldwide President, Matthew Loeb, referring to the vote authorizing strike motion. “This vote is in regards to the high quality of life in addition to the well being and security of those that work within the movie and tv trade. Our individuals have fundamental human wants like time for meal breaks, sufficient sleep and a weekend. For these on the backside of the pay scale, they deserve nothing lower than a residing wage.”
UNI’s Media and Leisure sector (UNI MEI) stated it would quickly be publishing full particulars from its survey, which gathered information on collective agreements, working hours, and phrases and circumstances, in preparation for a world marketing campaign to enhance working hours throughout the sector.
