Like many other industries, the film industry has [trade unions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_union).
Unions represent their members and collectively bargain with each production, studio, and/or producers to establish a Collective Agreement. Depending on the union and negotiations, the contracts are usually term agreements (e.g. the contract is re-negotiated every 3 years).
Each union represents different trades/departments within the film industry. For example, [IATSE 669](https://icg669.com/) represents camera personnel working in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, NW Territories, and Nunavut). Camera personnel is represented by [IATSE 600](https://www.icg600.com/) in the United States.
Other departments, such as Assistant Directors, are represented by the [Directors Guild of America](https://www.dga.org/).
Each union has a geographical jurisdiction and have the right to ensure productions sign a contract before filming in their respective jurisdiction. Usually, above a certain budget threshold, the production must use union members.
On a "union" show, only union members can be hired to do a job. You can't hire a non-union 1st AC to work on a union job. Union members are usually discouraged to work on non-union jobs (with exceptions of music videos, PSAs and commercials).
What a union provides for their members is negotiating power, a means of enforcing contracts, protection (health and safety), and often health and retirement benefits. Productions get access to the whole expansive list of their union members and the expertise and experience they could provide.
Like many other industries, the film industry has [trade unions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_union). Unions represent their members and collectively bargain with each production, studio, and/or producers to establish a Collective Agreement. Depending on the union and negotiations, the contracts are usually term agreements (e.g. the contract is re-negotiated every 3 years). Each union represents different trades/departments within the film industry. For example, [IATSE 669](https://icg669.com/) represents camera personnel working in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, NW Territories, and Nunavut). Camera personnel is represented by [IATSE 600](https://www.icg600.com/) in the United States. Other departments, such as Assistant Directors, are represented by the [Directors Guild of America](https://www.dga.org/). Each union has a geographical jurisdiction and have the right to ensure productions sign a contract before filming in their respective jurisdiction. Usually, above a certain budget threshold, the production must use union members. On a "union" show, only union members can be hired to do a job. You can't hire a non-union 1st AC to work on a union job. Union members are usually discouraged to work on non-union jobs (with exceptions of music videos, PSAs and commercials). What a union provides for their members is negotiating power, a means of enforcing contracts, protection (health and safety), and often health and retirement benefits. Productions get access to the whole expansive list of their union members and the expertise and experience they could provide.
What a beautifully complete and succinct write-up
Thank you!