Alex Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 724, the Hollywood Laborers Union, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing efforts to unionize production assistants in the entertainment industry. Aguilar highlighted the challenges faced by production assistants, the union's organizing strategy and the impact of recent immigration policies on Hollywood workers.
Production assistants in Hollywood often face significant workplace challenges, including low wages, lack of benefits and grueling work schedules. Aguilar emphasized that many PAs earn minimum wage despite working on productions with multi-million dollar budgets. The union focuses on securing healthcare, livable wages and basic workplace protections such as proper meal breaks and adequate rest periods between shifts. These issues are industry-wide, but LIUNA Local 724 has chosen to target Warner Bros. Television as a starting point for organizing efforts.
The union's organizing campaign has already succeeded, with unanimous votes to unionize on shows like "Abbott Elementary" and "The Pit." While previous attempts to organize production assistants have failed, LIUNA's resources and strategic approach have brought them closer to success than ever before, Aguilar said. The union is now preparing for contract negotiations with Warner Bros. Television, focusing on addressing the primary concerns of healthcare, wages and working conditions for PAs.
Recent immigration policies have created anxiety among Hollywood workers, particularly in the Latino community. Aguilar expressed disappointment that major studios have remained silent on the issue, given the significant contributions of immigrant workers to the industry. He emphasized the need for studios to support their workforce and called for a more vocal stance from industry leaders. Despite these challenges, Aguilar remains optimistic about the union's ability to secure better working conditions for production assistants and other Hollywood laborers.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about LIUNA Local 724's efforts to improve working conditions in Hollywood.