The trucks will keep running on time for the major studios.
Teamsters Local 399, which represents studio truck drivers, signed a new two-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, ending the threat of a crippling transportation strike one week from the end of the current labor deal, an official close to the negotiations told TheWrap.
The deal was ratified with a 97 percent in-favor vote by the Teamsters.
According to the official, the Teamsters agreed to the AMPTP offer of 2 percent annual pay increases (they had been seeking 3 percent), but received concessions on such things as meal-compensation for off-production drivers, as well as reimbursement on license and medical-certificate expenses.
The Teamsters also got what they wanted in terms of increased medical and pension benefits, as well as the length of the deal, which is two years instead of three.
The two-year contract will put the Local 399 in negotiations for a new deal at the same time as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents most of the other crew members on studio productions, and has a much greater role in shaping how health and pension benefit negotiations shake out.
The 2012 negotiations will mark the first time the Teamsters local will negotiate alongside IATSE in more than 20 years, a prospect that promises to give the Teamsters greater say in health and pension issues.
Local 399 officials didn't return calls for comment. The AMPTP declined comment.
