2026 Teamsters 399 and Studio Basic Crafts Rate Increases

Last updated 7.29.26

August 2nd, 2026 marks the start of the new contract year for various Union Term Agreements.

Effective August 2nd, several major entertainment industry union agreements—including the IATSE Basic Agreement and IATSE West Coast Studio Local Agreements, IATSE Area Standards Agreement, IATSE 839 The Animation Guild Agreement, Teamsters agreements, and Studio Basic Crafts agreements—will implement wage increases of 3.5% and updated benefit contribution rates.

Below are detailed changes for the Teamsters 399 and Studio Basic Crafts agreements, including new MPIPHP pension & health rates.

Wages

Effective August 2nd, 2026: Wages for the following agreements increase by 3.5%. Note: Any minimum rates based on a percentage of the basic rate will also increase. 

Which agreements are affected by the 2026 wage increases?

2026 Teamsters Contracts Updated 

• Teamsters 399 Black Book Agreement (Includes the Cook Helpers Amendment Agreement)
• Teamsters 399 Locations Agreement

2026 Other Studio Basic Crafts Agreement Contracts Updated

• IBEW Local 40 Basic Agreement
• SUE Local 724 Basic Agreement
• Sculptors, Plasterers, and Shophands Local 755 Basic Agreement
• UAP Local 78 Basic Agreement

Benefits

MPIPHP Rate Increases

• Effective August 2, 2026: Rate Group 40 increases from $14.8875 to $15.7475 per hour.
• Effective August 2, 2026: Rate Group 52 ($15 Million Contributors) increases from $9.9675 to $10.4175 per hour.

Which agreements are affected by the 2026 MPIPHP rate increases? 

The above increases will affect any single project agreements for the unions below that utilize the basic agreement MPIPHP rates.

2026 Teamsters Contracts Updated 

• Teamsters 399 Black Book Agreement (Includes the Cook Helpers Amendment Agreement)
• Teamsters 399 Locations Agreement

2026 Other Studio Basic Crafts Agreement Contracts Updated

• IBEW Local 40 Basic Agreement
• SUE Local 724 Basic Agreement
• Sculptors, Plasterers, and Shophands Local 755 Basic Agreement
• UAP Local 78 Basic Agreement

2026 Wage & Benefit Rate Increases

FAQs

Q: When do the new union wage increases take effect in 2026? 

A: The wage increases for Teamsters and Studio Basic Craft unions take effect August 2, 2026.

Q: How much are the 2026 union wage increases? 

A: All covered agreements receive a 3.5% wage increase.

Q: What are the new MPIPHP rates for 2026? 

A: The independent signatory company rate rises to $15.7475 per hour, effective August 2, 2026, and the major studio rate increases to $10.4175 per hour, effective August 2, 2026.

Q: Which unions and job categories are affected by the 2026 rate increases?

A: These changes apply to Teamsters 399 and Studio Basic Crafts locals including IBEW Local 40, SUE Local 724, Sculptors/Plasterers/Shophands Local 755, and UAP Local 78.