Almost half of the west coast studio locals of IATSE have reached tentative agreements with the AMPTP.
This week, both the Motion Picture Studio Grips (Local 80) and the Make-Up Artists and Hairstylists Guild (Local 706) have finalized negotiations with the studios, as confirmed by Deadline.
They are now among the six out of 13 locals that are presenting their deals to members for ratification.
Local 700, the Motion Picture Editors Guild, was expected to conclude talks as well, but decided to extend negotiations into next week after making significant progress but needing more time for consideration.
Local 700 will resume bargaining with the AMPTP on Monday according to reports from Deadline.
This concludes the second full week of local-specific bargaining, with negotiations progressing quickly.
Earlier this week, Local 695, representing technicians across production sound, video assist, video engineering, and studio projection, also reached a tentative agreement.
These agreements follow those of the Cinematographers Guild (Local 600), the Set Painter & Sign-Writers (Local 729), and the Art Directors Guild (Local 800) which reached tentative deals last week with the AMPTP.
Negotiations began on March 4 with IATSE leadership, the Hollywood Teamsters, and other crafts guilds meeting with the AMPTP to discuss health and pension benefits and offer proposals. The LA Locals have started bargaining with the studios after a week of caucusing. The AMPTP has not yet returned a counterproposal on general issues.
Next week, Local 728 is expected to start negotiations as well. The IATSE locals are now following a new strategy where two locals will negotiate simultaneously with the studios over the next month.
The current contracts are set to expire on July 31, affecting around 60,000 industry-related IATSE members.
