Production assistants at Warner Bros. Television have ratified union contracts for three shows — Abbott Elementary, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and All American. The unanimous vote, involving about 15 staffers, concluded on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the newly unionized workers.
Union Affiliation and Statements
The production assistants are part of Production Assistants United, affiliated with the Hollywood laborers’ union LiUNA Local 724. Ethan Ravens, director of organizing for Production Assistants United, emphasized the importance of these contracts, stating, “You cannot run a production without production assistants. The idea that the workers holding productions together should have a union, a voice, health care and a pension is not radical. It is inevitable. These contracts prove the momentum is real, and it is only going to keep growing.”
Contract Provisions and Benefits
The new agreements entitle production assistants to the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, matching benefits received by other unionized crew members. A minimum pay rate of $20 per hour for new hires and $21.22 for returning workers has been set for the upcoming season. Returning workers are eligible for the higher rate after completing 50 work days in the previous season. For All American, which has completed its final season, PAs will receive retroactive health and pension contributions.
Holiday provisions have also been established, ensuring double-time pay for working on holidays and paid time off for non-working holidays. Furthermore, each show will establish a subcommittee to explore career pathways for production assistants.
Comparison to Previous Contracts
These contracts build upon the precedent set by a previous agreement with another Warner Bros. Television show, The Pitt, finalized in late 2025. The Pitt contract had defined returning staffers as those with 150 days of work in the prior season and did not include holiday pay terms. This contract has now been retroactively updated to include benefits similar to those in the new agreements.
Unionization Efforts Continue
Alex Aguilar Jr., secretary-treasurer of LiUNA Local 724, commented on the significance of the unanimous ratification, “The unanimous ratification of these agreements sends a powerful message: workers want a voice, and they want representation. The unity shown by production assistants demonstrates the strength of this movement and the power of workers standing together in solidarity.”
Following a unionization vote in December 2025, production assistants from Abbott Elementary, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and All American joined their peers from The Pitt in seeking better working conditions. Production Assistants United is currently working to secure similar contracts for other shows, including The Four Seasons, Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire, which have voted to unionize but have yet to finalize first contracts.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/production-assistant-ratify-warner-bros-tv-union-contracts-1236630308/
