Post-production editors working for “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) have set a deadline of April 1 for their planned strike should their bargaining sessions with NBCUniversal fail to resolve pay inequities and health benefit issues. The editing crew members, numbering 12 to 20, have voiced their intention to halt work and disrupt the show until an agreement is reached. The group, which is part of IATSE Local 700 and successfully organized with the Motion Picture Editors Guild, has sought negotiations with NBCUniversal since October 2022, but talks have reached a stalemate.
Although the editing crew members continue to receive the same health coverage, the union has failed to secure a contract guaranteeing fair pay. The crew’s hourly wages are significantly lower than the industry standard, while other workers on the show receive appropriate compensation. Additionally, the company has proposed a two-tiered health insurance system that could lead to reduced benefits for future editors.
Management has refused to provide retroactive pay or guarantees for workers experiencing delayed contract negotiations. Furthermore, NBCUniversal’s proposed “management’s rights” clause would diminish workers’ collective bargaining rights by allowing the company to subcontract work and unilaterally change workplace rules and policies. The post-production unit of the show has received significant support from behind-the-scenes crew and cast members, many of whom have been seen wearing “Contract Now” shirts.
In response, Alan Heim, president of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, stated that “Strikes are not funny, and it’s also not funny that NBCU is driving us to take this step to guarantee fair pay and benefits for our members.” He added that the workers’ contributions are essential to SNL’s success and that they deserve the same standards as other workers on the show. Sources claim that NBC has committed to finalizing the negotiations by the end of the month and is working towards reaching an agreement. SNL has never before been targeted with a show-specific strike in its nearly 50-year history. The Guild represents approximately 9,000 post-production professionals nationally, working in both live-action and animated motion pictures.
Source: Variety
