Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, one of Hollywood's largest labor unions, have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike that would shut down the majority of film and TV production from coast to coast.
Ninety percent of about 60,000 eligible members cast ballots between Oct. 1 and 3, and the vote passed with more than 98 percent support. (In all, IATSE represents more than 150,000 “below-the-line” crew members in the entertainment industry, including editors, art directors, electricians, hairstylists, and more.)
IATSE International president Matthew Loeb now has the authority to call a nationwide work stoppage, which would be the first in the union's 128-year history.
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