Throughout the summer of 2021, long-simmering tensions in the entertainment industry were coming to a boil.
IATSE’s strike authorization vote is set to begin Friday, with the results expected to be announced Monday.
What is IATSE, and who’s in it?
Lights, camera… strike?.Credit: Getty Images
Why would IATSE go on strike?
And the cost has been evident for years.
Hershman’s death prompted conversations anda wrongful death lawsuitbut little actual change.
Window art in support of IATSE in Los Angeles.Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
But a confluence of factors finally brought these conversations to a head this year.
“For me, it was like, I can be a dad again.
I can be a supportive husband.
Crew members have also started to become more vocal on social media.
The page has more than 1,000 posts since launching in August.
(“Rolling lunches” refers to working through a scheduled meal break on set.)
Denial of self-worth.”
What happens next?
This does not mean they’re voting to go on strike immediately, however.
As noted above, though, it’s far from guaranteed that they will do so.
“Our goal is not to strike.
Our goal is a fair deal,” IATSE president Loebtweeted Thursday.
But we do need a deal that works for us.
And so far, the AMPTP has been completely unwilling to move in our direction."
But not every crew member feels the same way.
What will happen if IATSE does strike?
How long would a strike last?
In short, it’s unclear.
“And our union has our back.
“We’re not machines,” adds Abdul-Wahid.
“You don’t get to wear us out and replace us.
To use that against us is ridiculous.”
