(NEW YORK CTIY) - The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has announced the chartering of a new National Local: The Production Workers Guild (PWG) Local 111, which will become the first-ever IATSE Local Union specifically created to represent Freelance Production Department Workers.

For now, this ground-breaking Local Union will encompass a Unit of 5,000 Television Commercial Production Workers employed by Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) Companies, including Production Assistants (PAs), Assistant Production Supervisors, Production Supervisors, Line Producers, and Bidding Producers.

However, the establishment of PWG Local 111 opens the door for future organizing initiatives within Production Departments, not just in the realm of TV commercials - but also throughout the broader Entertainment Industry.

IATSE International President Matthew Loeb said: “We are (170,000) strong and growing, welcoming crafts that historically have not been represented in this critical moment.  The birth of The Production Workers Guild Local 111 is not a mere addition to our expansive list of represented crafts, but a testament to our Union’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every Worker in entertainment is represented, protected and heard.  And mark my words, this is just the beginning.”

While Crew positions like Production Designers/Art Directors, Camera Operators, Hair and Makeup Artists, Script Supervisors, Grips, Lighting, Props, and Paint have historically been represented on TV commercial sets by IATSE, Workers in the Production Department historically have not.

With the Freelance TV Commercial Production Workers’ Union now chartered and recognized by the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP), the next phase is for the AICP to begin negotiations with thee Workers as a group.

Freelance TV Commercial Production Department Workers are using their momentum and discussions about concrete ways to build a safer, more sustainable Commercial Production Industry through collective bargaining are well underway, Union Officials said.

The newly organized Freelance TV Commercial Production Department Workers will enter negotiations with the full support of IATSE and its traditionally represented crafts.

“Commercial Production Workers’ issues are the very same ones this Union has fought to address through collective bargaining for decades - your fight is our fight,” IATSE International President Loeb said.