Crisis Averted: Daytime Emmys Go On As Planned After IATSE & NATAS Strike Deal
EXCLUSIVE: Crisis averted! The Daytime Emmys will go on as planned, after IATSE threatened to picket over the production’s use of a majority non-union crew on Friday.
IATSE leadership met with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Friday afternoon in an effort to reach an agreement prior to showtime. Deadline understands the deal was reached around 3 p.m. PT, just two hours before the awards show was set to begin.
More from Deadline
2024 Daytime Emmys Red Carpet Photos: The Best Looks and Fashion
Daytime Emmys: ‘General Hospital’ Wins For Supporting Actor, Best Writing, Directing (Updating Live)
Dick Van Dyke On Winning Daytime Emmy: "I Feel Like I'm A Spy From Night Time Television"
“The IATSE has reached a deal to cover the workers on the Daytime Emmy Awards,” the union said in a statement. “Those workers will now receive the benefits of a union contract including their health and pension benefits.”
So far, no more specifics on the deal have been shared.
RELATED: Daytime Emmys: Every Outstanding Drama Series Winner Back to 1974
The agreement came about an hour after the WGA West chimed in, encouraging members not to participate in the awards show in the event of a picket.
“It is unacceptable for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) to employ a non-union crew, especially to produce a show that celebrates the achievements of unionized talent,” the WGAW’s memo read.
RELATED: Dick Van Dyke On Winning Daytime Emmy: “I Feel Like I’m A Spy From Night Time Television”
The Daytime Emmys are typically a non-union affair, though the union has tried to reach a deal with NATAS in the past. It’s understood that NATAS hired a company to produce the show on a lean budget this year. Generally, the Daytime Emmys are produced on a shoestring budget, and sponsorships help to cover costs.
Organizing at the event this year was undoubtedly IATSE’s attempt to flex some muscle, given its ongoing negotiations with the major studios. On Thursday, the union announced it had failed to reach a deal despite reaching the end of their scheduled bargaining days with the AMPTP.
RELATED: Daytime Emmys: Every Outstanding Drama Series Winner Back to 1974
The union’s current contract is set to expire on July 31, so there is still time to make a deal. However, Teamsters Local 399 and the rest of the Hollywood Basic Crafts begin bargaining next week, and they also are aiming to secure their own agreements by the same deadline.
A show of force at the Daytime Emmys was a way to signal that the labor movement in Hollywood is still going strong, even if things have quieted down since last year’s dual strikes ended.
RELATED: Here Are The Actors Who Have Won The Most Emmys: Photo Gallery
This was supposed to be a long-awaited stable year for the Daytime Emmys, which have finally returned to some semblance of normalcy on CBS after years of having to scrape for a regular home. CBS made a pact with NATAS to carry the show through this year, having aired it in 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. No new deal has been made for 2025 and beyond.
Best of Deadline
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Series Ending In 2024 & Beyond
2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
