The Union Difference for Professionals in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries

Union members in the arts, entertainment, and media industries use collective bargaining to win higher pay, better benefits, and stronger protections, earning on average 38% more than nonunion peers in 2025.

Across these industries, union members have secured:

  • Higher pay – Increased salary minimums and guaranteed annual raises.

  • Better healthcare – Coverage for reproductive and gender-affirming care, as well as access to therapy services.

  • Improved work-life balance – Paid time off, holidays, parental and bereavement leave, and comp days.

  • Stronger job security – Minimum staffing standards and protection from replacement.

  • AI safeguards – Consent requirements, compensation, protections against digital replicas, and priority for human-created work.

  • DEIA protections – Gender-neutral policies, accessible auditions, anti-harassment measures, and diversity committees.

  • Enhanced health and safety – Consultation with intimacy and fight directors, safe stages and effects, rest breaks, hydration, and flexible stipends.

The examples below highlight the concrete workplace gains union members have achieved through collective bargaining.

Film and TV

American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

Musicians working in theatrical films, scripted television, and emerging media secured healthcare contributions for streamed content, along with new AI protections.

Directors Guild of America (DGA)

Directorial teams working for ABC, CBS, and NBC in broadcast news, sports, documentary, operations, and local stations secured an increase in the rate the networks contribute to the DGA Pension Plan, bringing the contribution rate to 9%.Directorial crews working in motion pictures and scripted television secured new AI protections.

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)

At Walt Disney Animation Studios, production managers secured minimum wage increases of 24%, production supervisors 29%, and production coordinators 35%.Visual effects workers on Marvel and Disney productions won minimum pay rates for all job titles and overtime pay.Production assistants, assistant production supervisors, production supervisors, line producers, and bidding producers involved in TV commercial production secured overtime and holiday protections and reimbursement for cell phone use.

Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)

Universal Studios Hollywood employees secured pay increases of roughly 12%, additional paid sick and personal leave, and Juneteenth as a paid holiday.Disney studio employees secured wage increases totaling 14.5% over three years.

Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)

Performers employed on scripted television shows—including animated series—and theatrical productions secured 14.5% wage increases over the three-year contract.Performers working on animated television productions secured a 26% improvement in residuals (direct payments to members) for high-budget programs made for subscription streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Hulu.

Writers Guild of America East (WGAE)

Writers in motion pictures and scripted television secured provisions safeguarding AI and generative AI, ensuring that human authorship, credit, and creative rights remain protected.

Performing Arts

Actors' Equity Association (Equity)

Actors and stage managers working on Broadway League touring productions secured salary improvements of 12% to 34% over the three-year contract.

At Chicago Area Theatres, actors and stage managers secured wage increases of 13% to 46% over the four-year contract, protections for reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, and work-life balance protections.

At LORT member theatres, actors and stage managers won expanded DEIA protections, including standards for hair styling and costuming, gender-inclusive language and initiatives, accessible audition processes, and stronger safeguards against bullying, discrimination, and harassment.

AFM

At the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, musicians secured a 39% pay increase, added two new core string positions, and increased matching contributions to their retirement plans.

At the Annapolis Symphony, musicians won guaranteed annual raises, reimbursement for travel to performances and rehearsals, and a more inclusive tenure process.

At the Argyle Theatre, musicians secured a 17% wage increase, pension contributions, and a prohibition on replacing live musicians with virtual orchestras.

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)

At Texas Ballet Theatre, artists secured pay raises of 3% to 50% in year one and 6% to 9.5% over the final three years, access to weekly physical and massage therapy, and the use of a fight director for stage combat.

At Chautauqua Opera, artists won annual wage increases of 2%, enhanced retirement benefits, and guaranteed consultation with an intimacy director when staging intimate scenes.

At Voices of Ascension, artists secured 5% annual wage increases, stronger job security, and expanded anti-discrimination protections.

IATSE

At the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, box office and group sales workers won guaranteed hours for healthcare access, staffing minimums, and a cell phone stipend.

At BodyVox, stagehands secured a $32-per-hour base wage, 3.5% to 6.5% annual cost-of-living increases, premium pay for 11 holidays, and one hour of paid time off for every 30 hours worked.

At the Los Angeles Opera, costume shop workers secured 30% to 52% wage increases, faster pay increases, healthcare contributions for overhire workers, and a 3% increase in retirement contributions.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

Directors, choreographers, and associates on Broadway League productions secured a commitment to non-discrimination and anti-harassment.

Directors, choreographers, and associates on Off-Broadway League productions secured wage and benefit increases, stronger non-discrimination and anti-harassment protections, and expanded terms for electronic capture and distribution of productions

Media

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

At CBS, broadcast technicians secured wage increases totaling 13% over the three-year life of their union contract.

SAG-AFTRA

At WHYY, reporters, producers, and editors secured across-the-board raises of 3%, with many members receiving raises between 4% and 11%, increased paid parental leave, and AI protections.

At WFAE, staff secured annual pay raises, additional time off, and new policies to guide promotions, scheduling, and remote work.

WGAE

At Pushkin Industries, writers, producers, editors, and engineers secured a $73,000 minimum salary, 3% to 6% annual raises, required IP negotiations for creator-hosts, and protections for voice, likeness, and AI-generated work.

At HuffPost, journalists secured 3% annual raises, 14 weeks of parental leave plus four weeks of transitional time, and AI safeguards.

At Hearst Magazines, editorial, video, design, photo, and social staff secured 2% to 3% raises, stronger severance protections, and enhanced retirement benefits.

Video Games

IATSE

Motion capture workers at 2K’s studio secured wage floors and annual pay increases, AI protections, and stronger crediting practices.

SAG-AFTRA

Voice actors performing in video games secured consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use and five-minute rest periods after each hour of work under their union contract.