A bold move is underway in Hollywood, as production assistants and assistants working on Netflix's 'The Four Seasons' are taking a stand for their rights. These dedicated individuals, who have long been the backbone of many productions, are now seeking to unionize and improve their working conditions.
The group, with the support of Production Assistants United, a powerful grassroots movement, has filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. Their goal? To join forces with LiUNA Local 724, a union that represents Hollywood laborers, and secure a better future for themselves and their colleagues.
But here's where it gets controversial... While 'The Four Seasons' airs on Netflix, it's actually produced by Universal Television. So, these production assistants are not only fighting for fair wages and healthcare benefits but also for safety standards and a recognition of their invaluable contributions.
Caroline O'Riordan, an assistant on the show, puts it perfectly: "Our colleagues are union members because workers unionized their positions decades ago. Now, we're organizing to secure the same protections and to build collective power in a political system that prioritizes corporate interests over the working class."
And this is the part most people miss... Production assistant Jasmine Vargas shares her experience, highlighting the long hours, often exceeding those of other departments, and the lack of recognition for their hard work. She says, "My work is only as valued as whatever the state minimum wage is set to, not the worth of my contribution."
Production Assistants United has been on a roll, organizing six productions in just three months, including 'The Pitt' and 'Abbott Elementary.' 'The Pitt' made history by becoming the first major TV production where production assistants and assistants successfully unionized.
With the federal government back in action, Production Assistants United is gearing up to refile with the NLRB for union elections across multiple shows. They're also setting their sights on a Universal show, aiming to bring about significant change in the industry.
Aelyjah Bell, a New York PAU Organizer, sums it up: "When we launched in 2023, some called a PA union impossible. But as a longtime worker in the film industry and an NAACP board member, I knew organizing production assistants was ethically compulsory and inevitable. It's time for the studios to accept this reality."
So, what do you think? Is this a necessary step towards fair treatment for production assistants, or is it a controversial move that could disrupt the industry? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
