The Teamsters union announced a tentative agreement with major studios on Friday for casting directors, who have been advocating for increased wages. This new contract impacts approximately 700 members and marks a significant step forward in establishing weekly minimum wage rates for the first time.
In addition to wage discussions, negotiators aimed to set fundamental terms for benefits, including pension and health coverage, specifically for the 91 casting assistants who joined the union in August.
Sherry Thomas, a casting director and member of the steering committee, expressed optimism about the progress made. “We really came together and made some wonderful steps in the right direction for the future of our profession and the craft of casting,” she said. “In any negotiation, neither side is going to get exactly what they want. But if you can work toward fairness, that’s a win.”
Details of the contract remain under wraps, but the union plans to hold an information session on Monday to present the terms and seek a “yes” vote for ratification.
“I feel very happy with the agreement,” said Josh Ropiequet, an associate casting director and committee member. “We are unanimously recommending this contract.”
Casting directors have been represented by the Teamsters since 2006, with two local committees—Local 399 in Hollywood and Local 817 in New York—collaborating on proposals for several months. Negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers began in late August, with discussions extending into early this week before reaching this tentative deal. The previous contract was set to expire on September 30.
The AMPTP has not yet commented on the agreement.
In a statement, the Teamsters commended the hard work of the Local 399 and 817 Casting Negotiating Committee, highlighting their dedication over the past months and expressing gratitude for the support from Hollywood labor communities throughout the process.
