Tuesday, July 20, 2010

CRIMINAL MINDS: ED BERNERO TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE TEAMSTERS STRIKE


Criminal Minds: Ed Bernero talks about the possible Teamsters strike.

-Television would be hit hardest.

That's the consensus among industryites prepping for a possible strike by Hollywood transportation workers should the Teamsters fail to secure a new pact before its current agreement expires Aug. 1. Upward of 20 shows are in production ahead of the fall television season.

"If it were to happen, it would be hugely unfortunate," said Ed Bernero, executive producer on the CBS series "Criminal Minds." "I really can't speculate on what I might do if it happened, but unions are very important to me. So it would be a very difficult decision for me."

It's possible the Teamsters would agree to work under a contract extension even if their pact expires without a new agreement in place, but the union's Hollywood Local 399 is expected to take a strike-authorization vote during a general membership meeting set for 8 a.m. Sunday in Burbank. That would arm Local leaders with the ability to walk at any point after the midnight expiration of the Local's current "Black Book" agreement a week from Saturday; even the prospect of a strike has production execs puzzling over ways of getting actors and others on and off their lots without crossing picket lines.

Continued here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iabea5ee8f01f624a8616ea77291c3168