5,000 Unionizing Commercial Production Workers Have Certified Majority, Will Win Voluntary Recognition

Freelance workers in production departments for TV commercials across the United States are set to win voluntary recognition of their union after a neutral third party confirmed a majority of these workers signed cards indicating they wish to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

The organizing workers include an estimated 5,000 Production Assistants (PA’s), Line Producers, Production Supervisors, Assistant Production Supervisors and Bidding Producers whose work facilitates TV Commercials seen by millions each year and is produced under the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP). These workers came together to address low pay, unsustainable hours, lack of reasonable rest, lack of employer-funded healthcare and retirement benefits, ineligibility for overtime pay, and limited access to safety and training, among other issues.

The Stand With Production group is also set to become the largest contingent of production department workers and entry level Production Assistants within IATSE. While “crew” positions like Production Designers/Art Directors, Camera Operators, Hair and Makeup Artists, Script Supervisors, Grips, Lighting, Props, and Paint have historically been represented on TV commercial sets by IATSE, workers in the production department historically have not. IATSE has announced it plans to charter a new national Local Union for these workers.

“From the beginning, the Stand With Production movement has been about finding a way to open a dialogue with the powers that be and codify those solutions into written agreements, said IATSE President Matthew Loeb. "That will now become a reality for thousands of workers.“ Read more here!