IATSE to picket UCLA and USC games in dispute with Pac-12 (updated)

The dispute between the newly formed Pac-12 Network and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is escalating.

IATSE, which represents over 100,000 crew members who work on movies and TV shows, will set up picket lines outside college games at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday and Saturday and at USC’s Galen Center on Thursday, according to sources close to the union.

The union earlier this month declared a strike against the Pac-12 Network, contending the network was using non-union crews, who are generally paid lower wages and don’t have benefits.

“We respect an individual’s right to decide whether to be represented by a union,” Pac-12 Enterprises said in a statement. “Regardless of how they decide, we will remain focused on creating an environment that is inclusive, respectful and allows us to have direct relationships with our staff and contractors. We are building a robust enterprise that offers competitive compensation, an exciting and creative work environment, and growing work opportunities for industry professionals, campus staff and students from our universities for many years to come.”

Launched this summer, the network provides cable and satellite broadcasts of Pac-12 Conference teams’ sporting events, including football and women’s basketball.

Protests have been staged nationwide, including at Arizona State University in Tempe; Oregon State University in Corvallis; the University of Oregon in Eugene and the University of Washington in Seattle.

IATSE has mounted several strikes against producers of reality TV shows and has been more aggressive in its dealings with employers over the last three years.

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