Strike averted after union for U.S. film, TV crews reach deal with studios

An 11th-hour deal was reached Saturday, averting a strike of film and television crews that would have seen some 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers walk off their jobs and would have frozen productions in Hollywood and across the U.S.

After days of marathon negotiations, representatives from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and from the studios and entertainment companies who employ them reached the three-year contract agreement before a Monday strike deadline, avoiding a serious setback for an industry that had just gotten back to work after long pandemic shutdowns.

Jarryd Gonzales, spokesperson for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios and other entertainment companies in negotiations, confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press.

The union's members still must vote to approve the tentative agreement.

"Good for @IATSE for standing your ground. And don't forget we got your back anytime you need us," comedian, actor and writer Patton Oswalt said on Twitter.

Another actor, comic and writer, Yvette Nicole Brown, tweeted "#UnionStrong!" along with a link to a story reporting the agreement.

The effects of the strike would have been immediate, with crews not only on long-term productions but daily series including network talk shows walking off their jobs.