Union of film, TV workers approve new contract

Saturday March 21, 1:13 am ET
Union representing film, TV workers approves 3-year contract with Hollywood producers

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A union that represents more than 35,000 film and television workers has approved a three-year contract with Hollywood producers.

Officials from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said Friday the contract was unanimously endorsed by all 15 Hollywood local groups.

The contract, which goes into effect Aug. 1, includes some modest pay hikes but also cuts in health and pension benefits.

An opposition campaign by some union members accused their leaders of selling them short at the bargaining table. But a majority of members were swayed by leaders' argument that the contract was the best that could be expected given the industry's recent struggles.

Word of a potential deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers was first announced in November.