Production assistants on Elsbeth are embarking on a union push.
On Oct. 15, the production assistants filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The petition covers 28 workers on the CBS series. The goal is to join LiUNA Local 724, which has partnered with grassroots organization Production Assistants United as part of a broader push to unionize film and television production assistants.
The New York-based show stars Carrie Preston as the titular star in the police procedural, which is now entering into its fourth season. The series was created by Robert and Michelle King as a spinoff of The Good Wife and The Good Fight.
“The production assistants on ‘Elsbeth’ are so excited about taking this important step into unionizing,” the PAs said in a statement. “For too long in this industry nonunion labor has been seen as simply an entry level position when in reality these workers are people with years of experience who work some of the longest hours on set while being in precarious positions with their finances, healthcare, and their children’s wellbeing.”
“We are artists who love what we do and want to continue working with the amazing cast and crew of our show. We hope to inspire other PA teams to follow our lead in an effort to protect ourselves as a community against the consolidation of media companies and the inevitable effects that will have on our industry,” the statement continued.
A spokesperson for Elsbeth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As part of the organizing push, production assistants have voted to unionize on The Pitt, Abbott Elementary, All American, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, The Four Seasons, Cupertino and Dexter’s Resurrection.
“Production in New York is booming right now, and so is this movement. PAs across the city are deciding that the people who keep these sets running deserve a union too,” said Ethan Ravens, director of organizing for Production Assistants United and LiUNA 724.