Hiring Union Crews 101: IATSE & Teamsters for Commercial and Music Video Productions

Summary:

1. Union Compliance is Non-Negotiable: Hiring under IATSE and Teamsters rules requires strict adherence to union classifications, wage scales, and crew requirements to avoid penalties and shutdowns.

2. Know Who’s Covered: IATSE represents technical crew (e.g., camera, sound, makeup), while Teamsters handle roles like drivers and location managers. Each local has jurisdiction-specific rules that must be followed.

3. Low-Budget Doesn’t Mean Non-Union: Both unions offer low-budget provisions for commercials and music videos—but you must qualify and still meet key compliance benchmarks like scale-based benefit contributions.

4. Flip Jobs Can Derail Your Shoot: Unknowingly hiring union crew on a non-union shoot can “flip” your project into a union job, triggering unexpected costs, legal risks, and potential production delays.

5. Late Payments Carry Penalties: Missing union payroll deadlines can result in late fees, legal claims, and damaged relationships with crew—timely payment is not optional under union agreements.

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Behind every successful production is a crew that not only knows their craft—but also understands the rules. When working with unions like IATSE and Teamsters, it’s not just about hiring skilled professionals, it’s about hiring the right ones who meet union compliance requirements. 

That often means you may need to bring on qualified crew members you haven’t worked with before to stay in line with union rules. Failing to do so can lead to serious setbacks, including crew walkouts, production delays, and union grievances that can derail your entire shoot. Whether you're producing a commercial, branded content, or a music video, understanding how to navigate these union requirements is essential.

In this blog, we covered the essentials of working with IATSE and Teamsters crew members, including crew members they cover, low-budget union provisions for commercials and music videos, and the common pitfalls productions face. With the right guidance, you can stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and keep your production running smoothly.

Understanding IATSE & Teamsters Crew

Working with union crews requires a clear understanding of which roles fall under IATSE and Teamsters jurisdiction. Here's a quick breakdown to help you navigate who’s covered under each agreement:

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) is the union representing behind-the-scenes crew in film, television, live events, and theater. IATSE covers technicians, artisans, and craftspeople throughout the entertainment industry, including:

• Camera Operators

• Hair and Makeup Artists

• Sound Editors

• Medics

• Production Designers

IATSE is made up of numerous locals, each representing a specific craft or department within the entertainment industry. These locals specialize in different types of work and are often organized by state. Knowing which local covers which role within your state is essential when hiring union crew.

• Local 44: Property Craftspeople (Prop Masters, Set Decorators, Foremen)

• Local 80: Grips

• Local 600: Camera Operators, Directors of Photography, Still Photographers (Nationwide)

• Local 695: Sound and Video Technicians

• Local 700: Editors (Sound Mixers, Editors)

• Local 705: Costumers

• Local 706: Hair and Makeup Artists

• Local 728: Electricians

• Local 729: Set Painters

• Local 800: Art Directors Guild

• Local 839: Animation Guild

• Local 871: Script Supervisors, Coordinators, Accountants

• Local 884: Studio Teachers

• Local 892: Costume Designers

Teamsters

The Teamsters is a major labor union that plays a key role in film and television production, supporting fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for crew across several essential departments. Teamsters cover a variety of roles, including:

• Drivers

• Location Managers

• Casting Directors and Associates

• Animal Wranglers

All production vehicles, such as passenger vans, motorhomes, camera cars, trucks, golf carts and “gators”—are required to be operated by Teamster drivers when working under a union agreement.

CMS Productions is a direct signatory to Teamsters Local 399 (Los Angeles) and Local 817 (New York) for commercials and music videos which allows our clients to hire union-compliant drivers in these regions. For productions taking place outside of Southern California and New York, CMS can secure a one-time agreement with the appropriate local to ensure full Teamster coverage for your crew.

Low Budget Provisions & Negotiated Rates

Now that we've covered the basics of IATSE and Teamsters—and who they cover—we’ll break down how union crews are handled on smaller-scale productions. Both unions recognize that commercial and music video budgets can vary widely, and they’ve established special rate structures to help make union labor more accessible for lower-budget shoots. These provisions can offer significant cost savings if your production qualifies.

1. Low Budget Commercials (AICP Agreement)

   Under the AICP Agreement for Low Budget Commercials, producers may negotiate wages below scale—provided the crew member agrees. However, benefits must still be calculated based on full scale rates.

   For commercials, productions may qualify as low budget if the daily production budget is under $150,000.

   • For multi-day shoots, the average daily budget must stay under $150,000, with a new aggregate cap of $700,000 to remain eligible.

   • These rates apply to most union locals except for Local 52 in New York, which generally requires higher, pre-negotiated rates regardless of budget level.

2. Low Budget Music Videos (IATSE Agreement)

   Music videos fall under a separate tiered structure:

   • $55K – $300K: Eligible for negotiated wages below standard scale.

   • $300K – $500K: Standard music video scale rates apply (currently $26.69/hour).

   • $500K+: AICP commercial scale rates apply across the board.

Common Mistakes When Hiring Union Crew (Teamsters & IATSE) — And How to Avoid Them

Working with union crew members under IATSE and Teamsters agreements can be smooth and cost-effective—if you understand the rules. Here are some of the most common mistakes productions make when navigating union requirements, and how to avoid them on your next production.

1. Flip Jobs

   A “flip job” happens when a production intended to be non-union unknowingly hires union crew members, typically from IATSE or Teamsters, triggering union involvement.

   This can lead to serious consequences, including:

   • Union intervention: The union will reach out to notify the production to classify and pay all crew under union terms.

   • Production delays or shutdowns: If production fails to properly hire crew members under union terms, productions can be delayed or shut down. 

   • Major budget overruns: Flipping your shoot union will require added fees to all union members such as union fringes, scale wages, and benefit contributions.

   Planning ahead and hiring through the proper channels can help you avoid these costly missteps.

2. Misunderstanding Contract Terms

   Working with union crew members under IATSE and Teamsters agreements is very different from hiring non-union crew. Productions must navigate a range of detailed contract terms, regulations, and added fees that, if misunderstood or overlooked, can lead to costly penalties.

   Unlike non-union shoots, union productions are bound by formal collective bargaining agreements, which include requirements for:

   • Terms and regulations: Union contracts outline specific hiring requirements, including mandated crew positions that must be filled based on the scope and type of your production.

   • Compensation: Wages, overtime, and meal penalties.

   • Claims and Grievances: Strict compliance with contract terms, or risk claim or grievances from the union.

   Understanding and planning for these terms upfront is important to avoid unexpected costs and disruptions.

3. Late Payments

   Union employees must be paid no later than the Thursday following the week worked. Missing this deadline can lead to added penalty fees, including:

   • Late fees: Union-imposed damages for late payment violations

   • Claims: Crew member claims, if not resolved promptly, can result in legal disputes.

   Ensuring timely and accurate payroll isn’t just best practice—it’s a contractual obligation.

Conclusion: Navigating Union Crew Compliance with IATSE & Teamsters the Right Way

In conclusion, we have only just begun to uncover what goes into working with IATSE and Teamsters crews—there’s still much more to understand when it comes to contracts, classifications, and compliance. But hiring union crews for your commercial or music video production doesn’t have to be a headache.

With CMS Productions, you can ensure all your compliance needs are met without the stress. Whether it’s handling flip jobs, managing low-budget provisions, or ensuring timely payments, we’ve got you covered.

Have questions about working with union crews? Contact us today to discuss your upcoming production.