Casting directors reach provisional agreement on new contract
The Teamsters union reached a tentative agreement Friday with major studios on behalf of casting directors seeking higher wages.
The contract covers approximately 700 members. The union entered into talks with the aim of setting weekly minimum wages for the first time.
Negotiators also tried to set basic terms, including pension and health coverage, for the 91 casting assistants who voted to join the union in August.
“We really came together and made some wonderful steps in the right direction for the future of our profession and the casting profession,” said Sherry Thomas, a casting director who served on the steering committee. “In any negotiation, neither side will get exactly what they want. But if you can work on honesty, that’s a victory.”
No details about the contract were released Friday. The union will hold an information meeting with members on Monday to present the terms and ask for a “yes” vote on ratification.
“I’m very happy with the agreement,” said Josh Ropiequet, an associate casting director who also served on the committee. “We unanimously recommend this contract.”
Casting directors have been represented by the Teamsters union since 2006. Committees of two locals – 399 in Hollywood and 817 in New York – have been working on formulating proposals in recent months.
Negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have been ongoing since late August. The talks took place on Monday and Tuesday this week and ended after 1 a.m. on Tuesday evening without a deal. The contract was to expire on September 30.
The AMPTP did not respond to a request for comment.
“Teamsters would like to commend our local 399 & 817 Casting Bargaining Committee,” the union said in a statement Friday. “Over the past few months, the committee has spent countless hours and long nights fighting on behalf of the entire Casting group. The provisional agreement that was reached is in large part due to the hard work, passion and struggle of the committee. We also greatly appreciate the support of all of Hollywood Labor in our struggle and the commitment of many to #StandWithCasting.”
