A recent labor dispute has erupted on the sets of popular television series “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire,” as production assistants (PAs) contend with substantial reductions in their take-home pay. This comes despite their union, LiUNA Local 724, recently securing new collective bargaining agreements. The core of the conflict revolves around the alleged removal of guaranteed work hours, which previously ensured overtime wages for these often low-paid workers. The union has vociferously protested these changes, deploying symbolic inflatables and asserting that the production companies’ actions may constitute violations of federal labor regulations, spotlighting the ongoing struggle for fair compensation and stable working conditions within the entertainment industry.

Reduced Compensation Sparks Union Outcry

Production assistants working on the popular NBC dramas ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago Fire’ are experiencing notable decreases in their earnings following the ratification of new labor agreements. LiUNA Local 724, the union representing these PAs, has initiated protests, including displaying a large inflatable known as “Scabby the Rat” at filming locations, symbolizing a labor dispute. The union asserts that the production companies have unilaterally eliminated the previous standard of guaranteed 12- to 14-hour workdays. This guarantee was crucial for PAs, as it consistently provided them with overtime earnings in addition to their base hourly rate of $19.93. The removal of these extended-hour guarantees has led to a reported 43 percent reduction in weekly wages for some PAs on ‘Chicago Fire,’ significantly impacting their financial stability.

LiUNA Local 724 has condemned these changes, arguing that workers should not suffer a loss of income merely for exercising their right to unionize. The union emphasizes that these guaranteed hours have historically been essential for PAs to earn a living wage and support their families, given that production assistants are among the lowest-paid individuals in television production. Alex Aguilar, the business manager for LiUNA Local 724, affirmed the union’s commitment to preserving these established standards. The union claims that attempts to resolve the issue with NBCUniversal were met with a refusal to reinstate the previous hour guarantees, with the company citing the new cost of union health benefits as a contributing factor. The union views this as a potential breach of federal labor law, which generally prohibits employers from altering employment terms without prior negotiation with the union, unless a waiver has been clearly granted. The guarantees in question were not explicitly included in the recently ratified contracts, and while an unfair labor practice charge has not yet been filed with the National Labor Relations Board, the union continues to press its case. Furthermore, the union highlights a disparity, noting that production assistants on the sister show ‘Chicago P.D.,’ which is not unionized by LiUNA Local 724, have maintained their 12-hour guarantees and recently received a three percent pay increase after two seasons without a raise. This situation underscores the complexities and challenges faced by unions in safeguarding workers’ rights and compensation in the evolving landscape of media production.

Contract Ratification and Unforeseen Consequences

The recent ratification of union contracts by production assistants on ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago Fire’ has paradoxically led to unexpected and adverse financial outcomes for some of these crew members. While the new agreements were intended to provide benefits such as wage increases, access to union healthcare plans, and opportunities for career advancement through development committees, the elimination of guaranteed work hours has overshadowed these gains. Previously, production assistants relied on consistent 12- to 14-hour workdays, which, due to overtime provisions, significantly bolstered their weekly income. This established practice ensured a more livable wage for individuals who are generally among the lowest earners in television production.

The union, LiUNA Local 724, states that discussions with NBCUniversal regarding the restoration of these hours were unfruitful, with the company reportedly citing the additional expense of union health plan contributions as a reason for not reinstating the guarantees. This development has raised concerns about potential violations of federal labor law, which typically mandates collective bargaining before changes to employment terms are implemented. The union points out that these specific hour guarantees were not formally documented within the new contracts, creating a loophole that has been exploited. The contrast with ‘Chicago P.D.,’ a non-unionized sister series where PAs have retained their 12-hour guarantees and received recent pay raises, further exacerbates the situation for the unionized workers. This scenario highlights the ongoing challenges of contract negotiations and the critical importance of explicitly defining all terms, including work hour guarantees, to prevent unintended financial repercussions for employees. The union’s continued advocacy aims to address these disparities and ensure that the benefits of unionization truly translate into improved working conditions and fair compensation for its members.