Teamsters avoid Hollywood strike, approve contract

[July 26, 2010]  BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- Teamsters drivers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a proposed contract from Hollywood movie and television studios, avoiding a potentially disruptive nationwide entertainment industry strike.

Talks between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, representing the studios and independent producers, ended Friday night with no new negotiating sessions scheduled. More than 3,000 Teamsters drivers ferry equipment and performers to movie and TV sets.

But last minute back-channel talks Saturday led to a compromise as Teamsters Local 399 leaders prepared to seek a strike authorization vote.

Teamsters leader Leo Reed asked members at a Burbank meeting Sunday for a vote and the contract was approved by 97 percent -- about 840-20.

[Associated Press]

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