Production Assistants at ‘The Pitt’ Celebrate Their First Union Contract
Production Assistants on The Pitt Secure First Union Contract
Production assistants on the hit series The Pitt have successfully ratified their first union contract, marking a significant milestone in the television industry. After joining LiUNA Local 724, a chapter of the Hollywood laborers’ union, in September, the team announced the completion of their agreement with Parallax TV Productions on Tuesday.
The newly ratified contract will cover all production assistants for the remainder of the current season and for Season 3. This achievement is noted as one of the first instances of unionization for production assistants in a major television production, allowing them to access Motion Picture Industry Health and Pension benefits for the first time.
The campaign was spearheaded by Production Assistants United, a grassroots organization that emerged during the labor strikes of 2023. The agreement includes provisions for employer-paid training and establishes a "pathway committee" featuring both company and union representatives designed to address career advancement challenges within the industry.
“This historic victory is a significant milestone for production assistants and the entire film industry nationwide,” said Oscar Flores, a PA on The Pitt. “This achievement is a testament to our collective efforts, and we believe it will pave the way for even greater progress. We express our gratitude to Parallax TV Productions, LiUNA, and our production for their attentiveness and proactive measures. While challenges remain, this agreement represents a crucial step toward achieving parity.”
Mike McWilliam, another PA on the series, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m deeply grateful to the company for taking the time to acknowledge the vital role PAs play on film sets. The absence of health care benefits has been difficult, especially for those of us with families. This new agreement establishes a year-round, union-level benefits system. It’s a major achievement that will support PAs and their families across the country, and I’m excited to see which studio steps up next.”
This contract is part of a broader movement within television production to unionize production assistants and other support staff. In the coming week, three union elections are scheduled for various Warner Bros. shows, including Abbott Elementary.
Additionally, production assistants on Universal’s Four Seasons will cast their votes this month via mail-in ballot, as filming for Season 2 is currently taking place in Italy. Showrunners Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield have publicly endorsed their efforts, stating, “We love our PAs. They keep our show running and deserve benefits and pay commiserate [sic] with how hard they work. We are proud to support them in their initiative to unionize.”
