Local 727 Recovers $40,000 in Owed Wages for Teamster Movie Drivers
Nearly thirty bargaining unit employees represented by Teamsters Local 727 will receive a combined total of $40,000 in backpay as a result of the Union’s successful settlement of a grievance against Beats Financing and Distribution, LLC.
The grievance was originally filed last summer when the Union was informed that the Company, had increased the budget for the upcoming Netflix drama Beats —effectively upgrading the project from a low-budget to a high-budget production—but failed to raise the hourly wage rates of Local 727 members working on the project. While the Company acknowledged increasing the wage rates of other unionized workers contributing to the production of Beats, it denied the Union’s grievance and declined to raise the wage rates of Local 727 movie industry drivers.
After the Union’s grievance was denied, Local 727 submitted the grievance for arbitration.
As a result of the Union’s persistence, Orville Productions, LLC, Beats’ successor in interest, agreed to pay a total of $40,000 in backpay to Local 727 members employed by the Company after the budget increase.
“Local 727 does not back down when our members are mistreated,” stated John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “These hardworking members or an integral part of the film and T.V. industry in Chicago. They deserve to be fairly compensated for their contributions.”
Beats is set to be released later this year. Framed as a coming-of-age drama, the Netflix original will depict the story of an agoraphobic young hip-hop prodigy from Chicago’s South Side and his relationship with a disgraced former music manager.
Members with questions should contact Local 727 Business Representative Melissa Senatore at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: MOTION PICTURE
