Chicago Fire and Med PAs Ratify First Union Contract

Production assistants working on the NBC dramas "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med" have voted to ratify their first union contract. This agreement marks a significant step in a broader unionization effort for production assistants across the industry. The newly ratified contract covers a total of 61 employees, with 26 PAs employed on "Chicago Med" and 35 on "Chicago Fire." Both series are produced by Universal Television.

The workers will be represented by LIUNA Local 724, a union that has been active in organizing various trades. The ratification follows negotiations that aimed to establish improved working conditions and compensation for these entry-level production roles. While specific details of the contract were not immediately released, the union's involvement suggests a focus on standardizing pay scales, ensuring benefits, and establishing clearer grievance procedures.

This development is part of a growing trend of unionization among various roles within the entertainment industry. Following the resolution of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, there has been increased momentum for workers in different departments to organize and secure collective bargaining agreements. The successful ratification by the PAs on these popular Universal Television productions could serve as a model for similar efforts on other shows.