The Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has signed its first basic contract with the Music Video Production Assn.
The deal allows IATSE, which reps more than 100,000 below-the-line showbiz employees, to negotiate wages and provide pension and health benefits to musicvideo crews for the first time.
"The IATSE representatives have worked hard to negotiate a fair contract with the Music Video Production Assn.," union prexy Thomas Short said. "And we look forward to a long and productive relationship."
IATSE began to organize the industry last summer in Los Angeles by demanding that the producer of a video for LL Cool J sign a union contract, then persuading members of that crew to walk off the set when the producer refused. That move led to negotiations, which began in October.
An estimated 25,000 people work on musicvideo production, and much of that activity is concentrated in Los Angeles. The total number of days spent shooting off-lot musicvideos in Los Angeles fell 12% in 2002 to 1,410, according to permit statistics posted by the Entertainment Industry Development Corp., which followed a 22% decline in 2001 compared with activity in 2000.
Label execs have said the decline stems from producers seeking to lower costs by shooting in less-expensive foreign locations such as Australia.
Short, who has headed the union since 1994, has emphasized a pragmatic approach and membership growth during his tenure.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com