Unions' Rx: Joint talks with majors

With healthcare costs expected to dominate, Hollywood's below-the-line unions are launching contract negotiations today with the congloms -- less than five months before the current master contract ends July 31.The first round of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers should last into mid-April. For the first time, the unions -- the West Coast locals of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 399 of the Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters and four other Basic Crafts unions -- are expected to negotiate jointly on healthcare and retirement issues while holding separate bargaining on the remainder of their contracts.Reps for IATSE, the Teamsters and the AMPTP had no comment on the negotiations, to be held at AMPTP headquarters in Encino. It's likely that the negotiators will agree to a news blackout when negotiations start for the duration of the talks. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com