Ronny Sianturi
Production assistants (PAs) on three prominent Warner Bros. Television series – the critically acclaimed sitcom Abbott Elementary, the burgeoning comedy George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and the long-running sports drama All American – have collectively ratified their inaugural union contracts. This significant development, confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts by entry-level production staff to secure improved working conditions, fair compensation, and essential benefits within the demanding landscape of television production.
The unanimous ratification by approximately 15 production assistants across these three shows concluded on Tuesday. These staffers are represented by Production Assistants United, a union affiliated with the Hollywood laborers’ union, LiUNA Local 724. The successful negotiation and ratification underscore a growing wave of organization among the industry’s most junior but indispensable crew members.
"You cannot run a production without production assistants," stated Ethan Ravens, director of organizing for Production Assistants United, in a press release. "The idea that the workers holding productions together should have a union, a voice, health care and a pension is not radical. It is inevitable. These contracts prove the momentum is real, and it is only going to keep growing." This sentiment highlights the foundational role PAs play in the day-to-day operations of television sets, often serving as the connective tissue that ensures smooth workflow and efficient execution of production schedules.
A Growing Movement: The Chronology of PA Unionization
The path to these landmark contracts has been a progressive one, building on earlier organizing successes. The initial breakthrough for Production Assistants United occurred in late 2023 with the negotiation of a contract for PAs on another Warner Bros. Television production, The Pitt. While groundbreaking at the time, the agreement for The Pitt has since been retroactively amended to align with the enhanced provisions secured in the recent ratifications.
The current wave of contract negotiations was preceded by a significant organizing drive. In December 2023, production assistants on Abbott Elementary, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and All American all voted to unionize. This collective action followed the successful organizing efforts of their peers on The Pitt, who had paved the way for PA representation. Production Assistants United has not rested on its laurels, actively pursuing similar organizing campaigns on other shows, including The Four Seasons, Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire. While PAs on these latter productions have also voted to unionize, they are still in the process of negotiating their first contracts.
Key Provisions and Benefits Secured
The newly ratified contracts introduce substantial improvements to the working conditions and compensation for production assistants. A cornerstone of these agreements is the eligibility for the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, a benefit previously exclusive to more established unionized crew members. This ensures that PAs on Abbott Elementary, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and All American – all of which film at the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California – will now have access to crucial health insurance and retirement savings opportunities.
In terms of compensation, the contracts establish a minimum pay rate of $20 per hour for new hires. Returning PAs, those who have previously worked on the show, will receive a slightly higher rate of $21.22 per hour for the upcoming season. This tiered system incentivizes retention and acknowledges the experience gained by PAs over time. The distinction between new and returning workers is defined by accumulating 50 work days in the previous season.
Furthermore, the agreements address holiday pay, a significant concern for many in the industry. Production assistants who work on holidays will now be compensated at a rate of "double time," meaning they will receive at least eight hours of pay at double their regular hourly rate. Crucially, the contracts also include provisions for paid holidays for PAs who do not work on those days, effectively granting them paid time off, a benefit that can significantly improve work-life balance and financial stability.
For All American, which has concluded its final season, the production assistants have secured retroactive health and pension contributions, acknowledging their contributions throughout the show’s run.
Beyond immediate compensation and benefits, the contracts also foster professional development. Each show is mandated to establish a subcommittee specifically tasked with examining career pathways and identifying potential openings for production assistants. This initiative signals a commitment to creating clearer routes for advancement within the industry, addressing a long-standing challenge for entry-level workers.
Comparative Analysis: Advancements Over Previous Agreements
The recently ratified contracts represent a tangible step forward when compared to the initial agreement negotiated for The Pitt. The prior deal defined returning staffers as those who had worked a minimum of 150 days in the preceding season, a significantly higher threshold than the 50-day requirement in the new contracts. Additionally, the The Pitt agreement did not initially include holiday pay provisions. The union has confirmed that the The Pitt deal has been retroactively amended to incorporate these enhanced benefits, ensuring a more equitable standard across Warner Bros. Television productions.
Industry Reactions and Broader Implications
The ratification has been met with strong support from union leadership. Alex Aguilar Jr., secretary-treasurer of LiUNA Local 724, emphasized the broader significance of this development. "The unanimous ratification of these agreements sends a powerful message: workers want a voice, and they want representation," Aguilar stated. "The unity shown by production assistants demonstrates the strength of this movement and the power of workers standing together in solidarity."
This sentiment is echoed by organizers who see these contracts as a validation of their efforts and a catalyst for future action. The success on these three shows is expected to embolden other groups of production assistants and entry-level workers across the industry. As the costs of living continue to rise, particularly in major production hubs like Los Angeles, the demand for livable wages, comprehensive healthcare, and secure retirement plans is becoming increasingly urgent.
The implications of these contracts extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries. They serve as a blueprint for future negotiations and could set new industry standards for production assistants. By securing these fundamental rights, Production Assistants United and LiUNA Local 724 are not only improving the lives of their members but also contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for the entertainment industry as a whole. The focus now shifts to the ongoing negotiations for other shows, with the hope that the momentum generated by these successful ratifications will lead to further widespread improvements for the essential, yet often overlooked, workforce that keeps Hollywood productions running.
Warner Bros. Television was contacted for comment on the ratified contracts. The studio’s response, if provided, will be included in future reporting.
