Casting assistants officially have union representation, after the group unanimously voted to organize under the Teamsters in a National Labor Relations Board election, the union announced Monday.
Los Angeles Casting Assistants will be represented by Teamsters Local 399, and New York Casting Assistants will be represented by Teamsters Local 817. The union says that 91 casting assistants submitted ballots in the election, and all voted in favor of union representation. However, the union also estimates that the group could grow to encompass 150-200 casting assistants.
The vote comes just before the Teamsters are set to begin negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a new casting agreement on August 26. The current contract expires on September 30.
According to the union, casting assistants have expressed a need for higher wages, access to health benefits and job protections. No official priorities for the bargaining cycle have been set, as the Teamsters are still surveying members.
“This organizing win proves that Casting in both Los Angeles and New York is by Teamsters. I am proud of not only the Assistants in their fight to make improvements to their career and livelihood, but also our 399 and 817 members that stepped up to support this group in their fight,” Motion Picture Division Director, Lindsay Dougherty, said in a statement on Monday. “Casting plays an integral role in every single production and often sets the foundation for any project. Our members’ hard work, creativity and expertise in their craft will drive our fight with the AMPTP for the pay, benefits and working conditions that are owed.
Teamsters and the AMPTP were able to stipulate to the NLRB election details, which paved the way for a swift election. Ballots were mailed on July 19th to Casting Assistants that had worked 15-days with the same major studio employer in the 12-months preceding June 29, 2024. Ballots were due to the NLRB by 5pm on Friday, August 9th and were counted this afternoon by the NLRB with observers present. 91 Casting Assistants submitted ballots in the election, and all voted in favor of union representation. This group however could prove to be closer to 150-200 Casting Assistants going forward.
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