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Hollywood Unions Disavow Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. nions-disavow-netflix-warner-bros-discovery.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, February 19th 2026 at 5:44 GMT by Deadline
      Locales: California, New York, UNITED STATES

Los Angeles, CA - February 19, 2026 - The entertainment industry is bracing for potential disruption as the Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have taken the unprecedented step of publicly disavowing Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) amidst increasingly contentious contract negotiations. This dramatic escalation signals a growing chasm between Hollywood's labor force and two of its most powerful production entities, threatening to halt projects and further destabilize an industry already reeling from previous strikes and economic shifts.

For weeks, negotiations between the unions representing over 150,000 film and television professionals and the studios have stalled. The core issues remain consistent: fair compensation, improved working conditions, and crucial protections for workers on streaming productions. While the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) reached agreements in late 2025, these gains have not adequately translated into improvements for the behind-the-scenes workers represented by the Teamsters and IATSE.

Specifically, the unions are demanding increased base pay to account for inflation and the rising cost of living in production hubs like Los Angeles and Atlanta. They are also pushing for stricter regulations on work hours, advocating for guaranteed rest periods and limitations on excessive overtime - a pervasive issue exacerbated by the fast-paced demands of streaming content creation. The original agreements reached with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA included provisions for residual payments based on streaming viewership metrics, but the Teamsters and IATSE argue these systems are opaque and fail to adequately compensate craftspeople for the long-term success of streaming titles.

The disavowal, a rarely-used tactic, effectively means the unions are asking their members to refrain from seeking work on projects produced by Netflix and WBD. This represents a significant economic blow to the studios, potentially impacting current productions and delaying future releases. While it isn't a formal strike, it's widely considered a powerful warning shot and a precursor to potential work stoppages if negotiations don't progress.

"We've reached a point where dialogue is no longer productive," stated Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien in a press conference this morning. "Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery are prioritizing profits over people, and refusing to address the fundamental issues impacting the livelihoods of our members. We've exhausted every reasonable avenue for negotiation, and now we must demonstrate the seriousness of our resolve."

IATSE President Matthew Loeb echoed these sentiments. "Our members are the backbone of Hollywood, the skilled artisans who bring stories to life. They deserve fair treatment, safe working conditions, and a share in the success they create. The streaming revolution has fundamentally changed the landscape of entertainment, and the studios must adapt their labor practices to reflect this reality."

The challenges presented by streaming are at the heart of the dispute. Traditional residual models, based on broadcast and physical media sales, don't translate well to the subscription-based streaming world. Unions are demanding new formulas for calculating residuals that accurately reflect the value of content on these platforms. Furthermore, streaming productions often operate with smaller crews and tighter budgets, leading to increased workloads and compromised safety standards.

Industry analysts predict that if the dispute drags on, it could have a ripple effect throughout the entertainment ecosystem. Independent production companies reliant on both studio funding and skilled labor could also be impacted. The situation is complicated by the ongoing consolidation within the media landscape, with fewer companies controlling a larger share of content creation. This increased concentration of power gives the studios more leverage in negotiations, but also raises concerns about the potential for monopolistic practices.

Warner Bros. Discovery issued a brief statement acknowledging the unions' actions, stating that they remain "committed to reaching a fair and equitable agreement" and that negotiations are ongoing. Netflix has yet to publicly respond. The next few weeks will be critical as both sides attempt to bridge the gap and avert a potentially devastating disruption to Hollywood production.