They’ve Got Our Backs!

Since the first day of our 118 day strike, members of the Los Angeles Local Teamsters unions have supported us every way that they could. We were fortunate enough to be able to work with a team of drivers that supported our picket lines and became part of our family. 

Most Teamsters arrived at SAG-AFTRA headquarters before 6 a.m. One van per lot was loaded with supplies for the strike line, with an additional two rovers supplied with extra materials to roam to each lot as necessary. Once the picket lines closed, the Teamsters drove back to the office to unload the supplies and prepare everything for the next day. It was a physically taxing task, but in the words of Disney strike captain Elyssa Phillips, “They only have one mode, and that’s beast mode.” 

Many Teamsters even joined in on solidarity special pickets. As many strike captains expressed, the Teamsters’ dedication was palpable. Their presence was necessary to help keep the lines running.

Each strike lot became a community, a family, and that included the Teamster drivers. Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 member Terence Sims said, “It was great to see a diverse group of people working together to get their goals accomplished. As long as I have worked in the industry, I can honestly say I have never been so happy to work, side by side with a community of people that made me feel not only a part of a family, but also part of a movement. That is what I think, being not only part of a union but being in this industry is all about.”  

SAG-AFTRA was incredibly grateful to have had them help us. They had our backs during the strike and, when their contract is up, we will have theirs!

Top photo: Teamsters drivers take a group photo after their morning huddle before heading to their strike sites.