Universal Studios Hollywood Workers Plan Rally
Workers at Universal Studios Hollywood are organizing a rally at CityWalk, signaling potential labor disputes in the Los Angeles entertainment industry. The specific goals of the demonstration have not been disclosed, but the event points to growing labor activism within the sector.
The rally is a key part of ongoing contract negotiations between NBCUniversal and two major unions representing park employees: UNITE HERE Local 11 and IATSE Local B-192. These unions represent a wide range of workers, including those in food service, retail, and ride operations. A central demand is for the company to adopt language that would protect workers from immigration enforcement on studio property. This demand is driven by Universal's partnership with the upcoming 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. These events are designated as National Special Security Events, which grants federal agencies like ICE increased authority and presence, raising concerns among the immigrant and mixed-status families that make up a significant portion of the workforce. Beyond immigration protections, workers are campaigning for what they term an "Olympic Wage" of $30 per hour by 2028 to address the high cost of living in Los Angeles. A recent UCLA Labor Center report highlighted significant economic struggles among Universal employees, including instances of poverty and food insecurity. The study found that over two-thirds of the surveyed workers earn minimum wage. This mobilization at Universal Studios Hollywood reflects a larger trend of labor activism across the entertainment industry, following the major WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. Unions representing various behind-the-scenes workers, including the Hollywood Basic Crafts and Teamsters, have also recently concluded their own contract negotiations, seeking improved wages and benefits. SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, is currently back in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for their next contract, which expires in June. Key issues on the table include protections against artificial intelligence and adjustments to streaming residuals, indicating that the industry's labor landscape remains in a state of flux and heightened negotiation. The backdrop to these labor actions is a notable slowdown in film and television production in Los Angeles. The city has seen a decrease in productions relocating to other areas with more favorable tax incentives, a situation intensified by the 2023 strikes. This production downturn has increased financial pressure on all workers across the entertainment sector.
