Production Assistants Secure Historic Union Contracts with Warner Bros. TV
Production assistants working on three popular Warner Bros. Television programs—"Abbott Elementary," "George & Mandy's First Marriage," and "All American"—have successfully ratified their inaugural union agreements. These pivotal contracts, secured through the efforts of Production Assistants United, an organization associated with the Hollywood laborers' union LiUNA Local 724, represent a major milestone in improving working conditions for these essential crew members. The agreements include access to robust health and pension benefits, guaranteed minimum wage increases, and comprehensive holiday pay policies, underscoring a growing industry-wide movement toward enhanced labor protections and fair compensation for production staff.
This collective bargaining success reflects a broader trend of empowerment among production assistants in the entertainment sector. Following the pioneering efforts of PAs on "The Pitt," who previously secured a union contract, these latest ratifications demonstrate a powerful commitment to solidarity and collective action. The new terms aim to set a precedent for future negotiations, emphasizing the indispensable role production assistants play in bringing television shows to life and ensuring they receive equitable treatment and support.
Landmark Agreements for Production Assistants
In a significant victory for labor rights in Hollywood, production assistants (PAs) working on Warner Bros. Television's "Abbott Elementary," "George & Mandy's First Marriage," and "All American" have officially approved their first union contracts. This unanimous ratification, concluded in a vote, establishes a new benchmark for working conditions and benefits within the television production landscape. The agreements, facilitated by Production Assistants United in partnership with LiUNA Local 724, address long-standing concerns regarding compensation, healthcare, and job security for these vital crew members. This progressive move highlights the increasing recognition of PAs' contributions and the critical need for their fair treatment, ensuring they receive protections commensurate with their integral role in the industry.
These newly ratified contracts are poised to bring substantial improvements to the lives of approximately 15 production assistants employed on these shows, all of which are filmed at the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank. A key component of these agreements is the eligibility for the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, previously available only to other unionized crew members. Furthermore, the contracts stipulate a minimum hourly wage of $20 for new hires and $21.22 for returning PAs in the upcoming season. Returning employees will qualify for the higher rate after accumulating 50 workdays in the prior season. For "All American," which has concluded its final season, PAs will receive retroactive health and pension contributions, guaranteeing that all eligible individuals benefit from these new provisions. These advancements underscore a commitment to recognizing the hard work and dedication of production assistants, providing them with the stability and security they deserve.
Enhanced Benefits and Future Pathways for PAs
Beyond wages and foundational benefits, the newly ratified contracts introduce critical holiday provisions, ensuring that production assistants who work on holidays receive a minimum of eight hours of pay at double their usual hourly rate. Additionally, PAs will be compensated for holidays not worked, effectively granting them paid time off. These measures mark a significant step forward in recognizing the demanding nature of production work and providing PAs with essential work-life balance and fair remuneration for their efforts during peak periods. The establishment of these benefits aims to create a more sustainable and equitable working environment, promoting better overall welfare for production staff.
Further enriching the agreements, each show will create a dedicated subcommittee tasked with exploring career advancement opportunities and pathways for production assistants. This initiative demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to fostering professional growth and retention within the industry, ensuring that PAs have clear trajectories for their careers. These contracts also represent an improvement upon prior agreements, such as the one secured for "The Pitt" in late 2025. Notably, the definition of "returning staffers" has been adjusted to require only 50 days of prior work, down from 150, making it easier for more PAs to qualify for enhanced benefits. Moreover, the holiday pay provisions introduced in these new contracts have been retroactively applied to "The Pitt" agreement, demonstrating the union's commitment to equalizing benefits across all represented productions and fostering a strong sense of solidarity among its members. This comprehensive approach to improved compensation, benefits, and career development signals a new era for production assistants in the entertainment industry.
