Post-production workers at Saturday night live merged with the Association of Motion Picture Editors.
Organized workers won a certified union with IATSE Local after an independent arbitrator confirmed support for the union through card checks, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. (Deadline was the first to tell.) Workers, of NBC’s late-night screenings, worked on pre-made sketches for the show, rather than its live elements.
CHEAP contacted NBC for comment. The Editors Association does not represent any other worker on the SNLalthough several other unions, such as IATSE locals, SAG-AFTRA and the American Directors’ Organization, were on set.
The size of the bargaining unit is unknown as of press time, as a varying number of workers are brought in each week to the show’s film unit. The number of newly created workers can be from 12 to 20 workers.
“This talented team of editors works at breakneck speed under an exceptionally tight schedule to ensure Saturday night liveWell-timed satire will be brought to the screen every week,” said second vice president of the Editorial Association Louis Bertini in a statement. “We salute them for coming together to have a say in the work. Behind the scenes and in front of the camera, a host of talented artists and craftsmen helped make it happen SNL inherent cultural background, and much of that talent has benefited from union contracts. We’re glad these editorial staff are now joining SNLunion workforce. “
The Editors Guild has recently had several organizational wins in animation, forming unions in BoJack Horseman studio ShadowMachine and PD Paradise studio Bento Box Entertainment in the spring and summer.
About the recent win at SNLEditorial Society President Alan Heim said, “Having a voice at work is not a laughing matter. SNL It deserves its title as a legendary comedy series, and the talented people who help make it deserve all the good that a union can bring. We are delighted to welcome them to the Editors Guild family. “
