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Hollywood averts massive strike by film and TV workers
Mumbai: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union which represents film and television crew members throughout North America, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), have reached an agreement on a new three-year contract averting a major strike less than a day before the walk-out deadline.
“This is a Hollywood ending,” IATSE International President Matthew Loeb said in a statement. “Our members stood firm. They’re tough and united. We went toe to toe with some of the richest and most powerful entertainment and tech companies in the world and we have reached an agreement with the AMPTP that meets our members’ needs.”
This strike would have been the first in the union’s 128-year history and the first major crew strike since World War II. The 11th-hour deal avoids a potentially crippling shutdown which would have impacted film and TV productions nationwide, with worldwide ripple effects, just as studios struggle to recover from heavy losses caused by production shutdowns and theatre closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The agreement, which still must be ratified by the union’s membership, includes improved wages and working conditions for streaming productions, a retroactive wage increase of three per cent annually, increased funding for health and pension plans, a minimum 10-hour turnaround time between shoots with a 54-hour break after a five-day week and also includes still unspecified diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The deal was met with a sigh of relief across Hollywood after talks stalled over the summer leading the IATSE to vote in early October on a strike authorisation with the overwhelming support of 98 per cent of union voters. The 60,000-member union represents a wide range of production crew members including cinematographers, camera operators, set designers, carpenters, hair and make-up artists, and many others.
The strong support of the union membership gave leaders considerable leverage to press their demands. The IATSE has traditionally preferred to quietly negotiate earlier agreements avoiding confrontations with the studios. However, members’ frustrations have grown to a breaking point with working 14+ hour workdays with few breaks and no weekends off.
In addition, as studio executives realised how devastating this strike could be, just as they were beginning to crawl out from beneath the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the IATSE felt further emboldened to take a tougher stand.
The union’s focused goals were: livable wages for the lowest-paid workers; more turnaround time between workdays; genuine meal breaks; rescue of the union’s ailing pension and health plan; and a bigger cut of the revenue from streaming shows. Studio executives acknowledged that they could no longer defend previous deal points allowing for such incessant work hours, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The strike has been officially called off with this tentative agreement as union members will be heading to the ballot box in the next few days to give or refuse their stamp of approval, with both sides remaining hopeful.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
