Lindsay Dougherty, International Vice President and Division Director of the Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 399, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast. Dougherty discussed the impact of tax incentives on production locations, the industry's contraction due to streaming and efforts to standardize contracts across the country.
Dougherty began by discussing the shift to move film and television production away from California due to a wide range of tax incentive programs from around the globe. She explained that while California has always been expensive, the industry's global economy has been affected by tax credits since the 1990s. Over 100 different tax credit programs worldwide are now enticing studios to film elsewhere, leading to what she called a race to the bottom that threatens good-paying American jobs. Dougherty discussed how the Teamsters are actively working with the Trump administration to develop federal legislation that could help bring these jobs back to the U.S.
Next, Dougherty discussed how streaming services have also altered the industry landscape, causing a significant contraction. Dougherty explained how the shift from traditional television to streaming platforms like Netflix changed the business model for major studios. The initial focus on subscriber numbers has shifted to revenue and profits, resulting in reduced spending and increased competition for tax incentives. The contraction, along with recent writer and actor strikes, has led to the lowest production levels across the industry in recent years, Dougherty said.
Finally, Dougherty discussed how the Teamsters are working to standardize contracts nationwide to combat some of these challenges. She described the complex task of juggling hundreds of production companies and varying locations while trying to maintain consistent wages and working conditions for union members. Dougherty said the goal is to create a national agreement similar to those in other Teamster divisions. When this is accomplished, she said it would help prevent employers from undermining workers' wages and benefits even as production moves to different regions.
For more insights on the Teamsters' efforts to protect jobs in the motion picture and television industry, listen to Dougherty in the full episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast above.