labor unrest

Transportation Strike Could Shut Down Hollywood

In what would be the third Hollywood work stoppage in the past three years, the industry’s transportation workers could be going on strike August 1, shutting down most television and film productions in Los Angeles, with the potential to affect sets in other cities as well. The Teamsters are looking for an annual raise of 3 percent instead of 2 percent when their contracts expire at the end of July, a difference representing millions of dollars per year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, there’s a real possibility this will actually happen, as “negotiations appear to be at an impasse” and “sources close to both the union and the producers say neither side will budge.” In other words, cherish the installments of Mad Men coming up since they may be the last new TV episodes you’ll see for a long, long time. [HR]

Transportation Strike Could Shut Down Hollywood