After 18 months of challenging negotiations, the Hollywood Basic Crafts unions, along with Teamsters Local 399, have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the major studios. This deal is expected to bring a period of stability between labor and management in Hollywood, following last year's writers and actors strikes.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) had presented their "last, best and final" offer on Friday. In response, the Teamsters and Basic Crafts unions made a counterproposal late Friday night and worked towards reaching an agreement over the weekend. Finally, just before midnight on Saturday, the unions announced that all Hollywood Basic Crafts Locals had reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP.

While specific details of the agreement were not provided, Teamsters Local 399 planned to hold a membership meeting on Sunday to offer further information. The union had been seeking a double-digit wage increase, as well as strict protections against subcontracting and the use of driverless trucks.

The timing of this agreement is crucial, as it comes just four days before the current contract was set to expire on Wednesday. The Hollywood Teamsters have not gone on strike since their three-week lockout in 1988. The recent agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) was also an important step towards ensuring stability in the industry, as it was ratified on July 18.

With the industry facing contraction and uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic, workers have been eager for these agreements to be reached in order to facilitate a return to full production strength. The Basic Crafts unions represent approximately 8,000 workers, including drivers, animal wranglers, location managers, electricians, and laborers. These unions had previously warned that they would not extend the contract beyond the July 31 expiration date.

It's worth mentioning that the unions had already resolved issues related to health and pension plans, which were negotiated jointly with IATSE. The IATSE contract covers around 70,000 workers and includes 7% increases in the first year, triple time after 15 hours of work, and certain protections against the use of artificial intelligence.

While the negotiation with IATSE went relatively smoothly, the Teamsters had expressed concerns about being "far apart" from the studios. In a webinar held on July 14, Lindsay Dougherty, the head of Local 399, emphasized that they were not seeking a strike but rather a fair deal for their members. She made it clear that they would not be intimidated and would not remove their priorities from the bargaining table.

Overall, this tentative agreement between the Hollywood Basic Crafts unions, Teamsters Local 399, and the major studios marks a significant step towards ensuring labor stability in the industry. As details of the agreement emerge, it remains to be seen how it will positively impact workers and further facilitate the resumption of full-scale TV and film production.