2025 - 2028 Teamsters Local 817 Drivers Term Agreement with Major Producers

Last updated October 28, 2026.

The Teamsters Local 817 Drivers Term Agreement with Major Producers was ratified effective November 3, 2024, and contract provisions have been rolling out on a staggered timeline ever since. With the MOA released ahead of the next wave of changes, we've put together what you need to know about what's changing and when.

The comprehensive update below includes the detailed contract changes, including new benefit structures and wage increase details through 2028.  

📌 Editor's Note (October 2026) - What's Changing on November 1, 2026:

• General wages increase 4%, compounding on top of the 7% increase that took effect November 2, 2025.
• Benefits contribution percentages for Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship decrease — from 34.7% to 34.0% on theatrical motion pictures, and from 32.4% to 31.0% on television motion pictures.
• No changes to meal allowance, per diem, or overtime thresholds take effect this cycle — those next adjust October 31, 2027.

Note: These terms may or may not be included in the single project agreements given to independent producers. Independent producers should consult their specific agreements to see if any changes are applicable.

Wages

Wage Increases

• Effective November 2, 2025: Wages increase by 7%
• Effective November 1, 2026: Wages increase by 4%
• Effective October 31, 2027: Wages increase by 3.5%

Daily (7-Hour Day) Wage Rates

Theatrical

Television

Weekly Flat Rates

Theatrical (Captain: 5-day week, 70 hours / All others: 5-day week, 64 hours)

Television

Specialized Equipment Rate

• Effective November 2, 2025: The "make-up/wardrobe combination truck-trailer" was added to the list of vehicles paid under the "Specialized Equipment Rate." No additional vehicle classifications are added effective November 1, 2026.

Benefits

Theatrical Motion Pictures

• Effective November 2, 2025: The total percentage for Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship increases from 33.0% to 34.7% 
• Effective November 1, 2026: The total percentage for Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship decreases from 34.7% to 34.0% 

Television Motion Pictures

• Effective November 2, 2025: The total percentage for Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship increases from 29.0% to 32.4%
• Effective November 1, 2026: The total percentage for Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship decreases from 32.4% to 31.0%

Overtime

Weekly Flat Overtime

• Effective November 2, 2025: Employees engaged on a weekly flat rate are owed triple time for all hours worked in excess of 82 hours in the week. No change to this threshold takes effect November 1, 2026.

Meal Allowance Money

No meal allowance changes take effect November 1, 2026; the next increase is scheduled for October 31, 2027.

Outside the 30 mile radius of Columbus Circle in New York City

• Effective November 2, 2025: Meal Allowance Money increases from $35 per day to $40 per day
• Effective October 31, 2027: Meal Allowance Money increases from $40 per day to $45 per day

Inside the 30 mile radius of Columbus Circle in New York City

• Effective November 2, 2025: Meal Allowance Money increases from $50 per day to $55 per day
• Effective October 31, 2027: Meal Allowance Money increases from $55 per day to $60 per day

Per Diem on Distant Location

No per diem changes take effect November 1, 2026; the next increase is scheduled for October 31, 2027.

Base Per Diem

• Effective November 2, 2025: Employees on a Distant Location outside a 50-mile radius from Columbus Circle in New York City are paid $50 per day

Per Diem if project is also signed to an IATSE agreement

• Effective November 2, 2025: $70 per day (Breakfast $14 / Lunch $21 / Dinner $35)
• Effective October 31, 2027: Increases to $75 per day (Breakfast $16 / Lunch $22 / Dinner $37)
• Any meal provided by the producer may be deducted from the per diem at the appropriate rate for the meal provided

2026 Wage & Benefit Rate Increases

FAQs

Q: What is the wage increase effective November 1, 2026? A: Wages for Teamsters Local 817 Drivers will increase by 4%, compounding on top of the 7% increase from November 2, 2025.

Q: Who is impacted by the wage and benefits changes? A: Teamsters Local 817 Drivers Term Agreement with Major Producer signatories.

Q: Are benefits contributions increasing or decreasing in 2026? A: Decreasing. The Health and Welfare, Pension and Scholarship percentage drops from 34.7% to 34.0% on theatrical projects and from 32.4% to 31.0% on television projects, effective November 1, 2026.

Q: Are meal allowances or per diem rates changing this cycle? A: No. Those rates last increased November 2, 2025, and aren't scheduled to increase again until October 31, 2027.

Q: Is this part of a multi-year agreement? A: Yes. The current wage and benefit schedule is part of a four-year agreement running through October 2028, with scheduled increases each year.

Q: How can members access or confirm their updated pay and benefits after the changes take effect? A: Members can contact their Local 817 representative or check official Teamsters communications for detailed pay tables and benefit contribution documentation.

➡️ While here, you can also check the Ratified IATSE Local 52, Local 829, & Teamsters Local 817 (Locations) Changes and Effective Dates and the IATSE Basic Agreement Changes And Effective Dates for other union rate updates.

The information in this communication is general in nature and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice rendered by GreenSlate, LLC. The reader should contact his or her attorney, CPA, or tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.