Crew Members Leave West Virginia Set of Crime Drama ‘The Gun On Second Street’ Due to Labor Dispute
A group of technicians has halted work on the West Virginia set of the U.S. gun crisis drama The Gun on Second Street, following the production’s refusal to recognize their union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), announced on Thursday.
According to the union, "a clear majority" of the film’s crew expressed a desire to form a union in response to ongoing labor concerns. Crew members have reported receiving below-industry-standard wages and health and retirement benefits, and many claim they have been misclassified as independent contractors.
The Gun on Second Street, an independent crime drama written and directed by Rohit Karn Batra, is currently filming in the Wheeling, West Virginia area. The production operates under a contract with SAG-AFTRA but lacks agreements with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Teamsters, or IATSE. The cast includes Tom Arnold, Rumer Willis, Noah Fearnley, Shô Oyamada, Poppy Delevingne, Jack Kesy, and Dianna Agron.
IATSE has stated that crew members set a deadline of 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday for production leadership to initiate discussions before the crew would strike. The international union has also directed its members not to cross the picket line or accept work for the production should management attempt to replace the striking crew.
“Every production, regardless of budget or political connections, must respect the rights of the people who make film and television possible,” IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said in a statement. “The Alliance is prepared to support this crew as they take collective action to secure safe working conditions, fair compensation, proper classification, and a voice on the job. These workers deserve the same rights and protections film and TV workers have across the country. I’m proud of this crew for standing together in this moment and fighting for what’s right in the face of tremendous pressure. It is now the producers’ responsibility to meet them at the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith.”
