In a recent development, major film and television studios have agreed to cover drone camera crews under an IATSE union agreement, following an arbitration with Warner Bros. This change comes after the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600) prevailed in a dispute with the studio in April over whether certain drone camera workers were covered under its contract.
The decision was the result of the union winning its second drone arbitration award in favor of the Local. National executive director Alex Tonisson stated in a memo that “Major studios have now represented that they will cover drone camera crews under the Local 600 Agreement, as required by the latest arbitration award.”
The announcement comes after CineDrones, a prominent drone service firm, shared on Instagram that “a new day in drones is upon us,” citing a communication from ICG that union films and television productions will now be required to cover drone crews under the applicable Local 600 contracts and pay union benefits to drone crew members.
This development clarifies a gray area in union coverage and is part of IATSE’s efforts to combat employers subcontracting work that should be covered by the union to non-union workers. The union is currently negotiating to incorporate more protections against this practice into its contracts during triennial negotiations with major studios and streamers.
Drone cameras have long been used to capture dramatic sequences in films and TV shows, with the FAA approving the use of drones for filming in U.S. airspace in 2014. The decision will provide more clarity for drone camera crews regarding their status in organized labor.
It is clear that the industry is recognizing the expertise of union members in the field of drone cinematography. Productions are now expected to employ drone camera workers on feature films and television shows as Local 600 covered positions with the necessary pension and health contributions. If a company refuses to cover a drone camera crew, they are advised to contact the business representative assigned to the show.
