In a move that reflects broader changes sweeping across Hollywood labor culture, production assistants working on Chicago Med have officially voted to unionize. While the headline may sound like a niche labor story tucked away from mainstream entertainment buzz, industry insiders say the decision carries significant weight — not just for one television set, but for the future of entry-level workers across scripted television.
Production assistants, often called PAs, are the invisible engine of film and television production. They manage logistics, coordinate schedules, relay communication, and handle countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep filming on track. Yet historically, they have also been among the least protected workers in the industry — frequently working long hours for modest pay, with limited benefits and little job security.
That reality is now shifting.
The unionization vote by PAs on this long-running medical drama marks a pivotal moment in an industry that has already seen waves of labor activism, from writers and actors to crew members and technical staff. What makes this development particularly notable is that it centers on workers at the very bottom of the production hierarchy — the people traditionally expected to “pay their dues” without complaint.
Now, they’re asking for something more structured, more sustainable, and more equitable.
Why This Union Vote Matters
For decades, production assistants have occupied a strange space within television production. They are essential but replaceable, highly visible in their workload but largely invisible in industry recognition.
Unionization changes that equation.
By voting to organize, these workers gain the ability to negotiate collectively over wages, hours, working conditions, and workplace protections. Instead of individual negotiations — which are often nonexistent for entry-level roles — they now have a unified voice.
Labor advocates say the importance of this step goes beyond financial improvements.
It establishes precedent.
If one group of PAs successfully unionizes on a major network production, others may follow. And because this particular show is part of a large, high-profile franchise airing on NBC, the ripple effects could spread quickly throughout the industry.
In Hollywood, precedent is everything.
A Franchise Built on Structure — Now Facing Structural Change
This medical drama is part of the expansive Chicago television universe created by Dick Wolf, which also includes Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.. The franchise is known for its tightly coordinated production model, where multiple shows often share infrastructure, shooting locations, and crew resources.
That interconnected structure is precisely why this unionization vote is attracting so much attention.
Labor changes on one production rarely stay contained when operations overlap. If working conditions, compensation frameworks, or scheduling policies are renegotiated on one show, others may need to adapt — either voluntarily or through pressure from their own crews.
Industry observers are already watching closely to see whether PAs on other franchise productions begin organizing similar efforts.
What Production Assistants Actually Do (And Why It Matters)
To understand the significance of this moment, it helps to understand the scope of PA responsibilities.
Despite the modest title, production assistants are involved in nearly every stage of daily filming operations. Their duties can include:
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Coordinating background actors
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Managing call sheets and schedule updates
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Delivering equipment and paperwork across departments
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Monitoring set safety and access
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Supporting directors, assistant directors, and crew teams
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Handling logistical emergencies in real time
They are the communication web that connects departments.
Without them, filming slows — sometimes dramatically.
And yet, because they are entry-level workers, they have historically been excluded from many of the protections enjoyed by more senior crew members, such as structured overtime rules, standardized wages, or guaranteed rest periods between shifts.
Unionization aims to address exactly those gaps.
The Bigger Industry Context
This vote does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader shift in Hollywood labor dynamics that has been building for years.
In recent history, entertainment industry workers have increasingly challenged traditional production norms, especially those tied to long hours, unpredictable schedules, and financial instability. The rise of streaming, tighter production timelines, and escalating content demand have intensified workloads across nearly every department.
Entry-level workers have felt those pressures most sharply.
Many industry analysts see this moment as a continuation of a larger cultural transition — one where the idea of “earning your place through exhaustion” is being replaced by expectations of sustainable working conditions.
In other words, the industry is beginning to reconsider what professionalism actually looks like.
What the Union Will Likely Negotiate
While specific contract goals will emerge through formal negotiations, labor experts say several issues typically rise to the top in PA union drives:
1. Wage Standardization
Production assistant pay can vary widely depending on project budgets and local practices. A union contract could establish minimum rates, reducing pay inconsistency across productions.
2. Overtime Protections
Long filming days are common, but overtime compensation is not always guaranteed for non-union roles. Collective bargaining could formalize overtime rules.
3. Rest Period Requirements
Turnaround time — the gap between the end of one workday and the start of the next — has become a major issue across film and TV production. Formal rest standards are often a key demand.
4. Workplace Safety Protocols
From late-night shoots to equipment transport, production environments carry physical risks. Union representation often strengthens safety enforcement mechanisms.
5. Career Pathways
Some union contracts include provisions for training opportunities or clearer advancement structures, helping entry-level workers move into higher-skilled roles.
How Studios Typically Respond
Studios rarely oppose unionization publicly once a vote succeeds, but negotiations can be complex.
Production budgets are tightly calculated, and any change in labor costs affects scheduling, staffing decisions, and financial planning. That doesn’t necessarily mean conflict — but it does mean careful negotiation.
Historically, when union agreements are reached, studios often adapt operationally rather than structurally. That might involve revised scheduling practices, adjusted staffing ratios, or changes to production timelines.
In many cases, stability becomes the ultimate goal for both sides.
Why This Could Influence the Next Generation of Crew Members
Perhaps the most lasting impact of this vote lies in perception.
For years, aspiring filmmakers have entered the industry through PA work, accepting difficult conditions as a temporary rite of passage. If unionization becomes common at the entry level, that cultural expectation could change dramatically.
Instead of viewing exhaustion as proof of dedication, the industry may increasingly define professionalism through sustainability and fairness.
That shift would affect not just workers — but the entire production ecosystem, from scheduling to budgeting to talent retention.
What Happens Next
The union vote is only the beginning.
The next phase involves formal contract negotiations, where worker representatives and production management define the terms that will shape future working conditions. These discussions can take months, sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of proposals and industry standards.
Meanwhile, other productions are watching.
If negotiations result in measurable improvements — particularly in wages, rest protections, or job stability — organizing efforts elsewhere could accelerate quickly.
Hollywood tends to move in waves.
This may be the start of another one.
A Quiet Decision With Loud Implications
Unionization rarely comes with dramatic visuals or headline-grabbing spectacle. There are no red carpets, no premiere nights, no ratings battles.
Just ballots, negotiations, and policy language.
But sometimes, the most consequential industry changes happen quietly — in conference rooms, not on camera.
The decision by production assistants on this major network drama represents more than a workplace adjustment. It signals a structural conversation about how television gets made, who makes it possible, and what those workers deserve in return.
For viewers, the hospital corridors and emergency cases unfolding on screen will look the same.
Behind the scenes, however, the working world of television production may be entering a new era.
