Hollywood could face another labor strike as concerns about AI, mass layoffs and low wages continue to be prevalent in the entertainment industry.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts warned that they will hold their picket lines immediately after negotiations break down, the first time since 1988.
The union groups have been bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for months over health and pension benefits at a relatively low success.
This is in addition to the contracts the IATSE will negotiate with the AMPTP. Negotiations are reported to start in early June, according to the Deadline.
At least 2,000 union members have already attended last Sunday's rally, with some members from the Writer's Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA also attending, Variety reported.
More are expected to join once the labor groups announce the start of the strike.
Also Read: SAG-AFTRA Strike Finally Over with New AI Use, Streaming Deals
Hollywood Still Under Fire Over Labor Concerns
Despite the relative success of the WAG and SAG-AFTRA's labor strike last year, the same issues raised remain prevalent among other sectors of the industry.
The Teamsters leader Sean O'Brien told Variety that recent actions from Hollywood corporations continue to threaten livelihood among its members, including AI advancements and unfair wage deductions.
O'Brien emphasized that the changes are supposed "to take the pressure off our jobs," not deprive humans of work opportunities.
The union leader accused the companies of being "white collar crime syndicates" for blocking their workers from their much-deserved compensations.
Hollywood last updated its agreement contracts with the groups in 2021 by only a small margin of change, nearly causing a strike to be launched.
US Entertainment Industry Reels in from Labor Strikes
If there is definitive proof that the labor strikes left an impact on Hollywood, it is that workers have gained more foothold over earnings in the industry.
Hollywood, particularly streaming services, continues to feel the effects of the strikes as companies lay off staff, increase subscription services and apply more cost-cutting methods to recover from their losses.
Other sectors in the industry have also started their labor groups amid reports of companies overworking their workers at low compensations.
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