LA: Teamsters strike vote Sunday. Any idea which way the R&F will vote?

[Gold Metal Flake]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-teamsters-20100724,0,1078421.story

Major Hollywood studios threatened by Teamsters pay dispute

Hollywood's drivers and the major studios continued last-ditch contract talks late Friday in an effort to avoid a head-on collision.

The local Teamsters branch, which represents drivers who haul equipment to film sets, has been negotiating for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the major studios.

But a major stumbling block has been a dispute over pay rates for more than 3,000 Teamsters drivers. Barring a last-minute compromise, union leaders are expected to seek a strike authorization vote from members Sunday. Crafts workers including electricians and laborers also are participating in the negotiations.

If members of Local 399 grant a strike authorization — often sought by union leaders to gain bargaining leverage — a walkout could occur as early as Aug. 1, when the current three-year contract expires.

[Gold Metal Flake]

1. Hollywood Teamsters agreed on a proposed contract

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Teamsters-and-Studios-Avoid-Strike-and-Agree-on-New-Contract-99199879.html


Hollywood Teamsters agreed on a proposed contract with the major studios avoiding a strike that could have crippled the entertainment industry.

Teamsters Local 399, which represents drivers, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the major studios, had been negotiating for a new "Black Book" contract.

The main issue had been pay raises for more than 3,000 Teamsters drivers but The Los Angeles Times details how the compromise came about:

The studios offered an increase in health-plan contributions and a proposed 2% annual pay increase for drivers. Teamsters wanted a 3% increase, the same rate given to other unions, especially their rival union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

On Saturday, however, the studios offered some additional incentives to the Teamsters, including adding travel pay for certain types of drivers.