Teamsters strike averted

Hollywood transportation workers’ union has signed a deal to avoid an expected strike, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Teamsters members accepted studios’ “last, best, and final” offer at the very last minute on Sunday. At the urging of Teamsters head Leo Reed, members voted 97 percent in favor of the deal after talks ended Friday night with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers. In a statement released Sunday afternoon, the AMPTP said: “The newly ratified agreement provides solid increases in wages, benefits and work opportunities for members of the Hollywood Teamsters while recognizing the economic realities that continue to challenge the industry.” The two-year deal calls for a two percent wage increase instead of the three percent the union had requested, but includes other provisions the union asked for in areas such as meals, medical tests, and drivers licenses.