Teamsters Urge DOJ to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a major force in Hollywood labor, is urging the Justice Department to intervene against the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

On Thursday, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien shared the union’s concerns with the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department. The main issue revolves around the increasing concentration of power as Paramount aims to absorb Warner Bros.

O’Brien expressed serious worries, saying, “This merger threatens the livelihoods of the very workers who built these studios into industry titans.” He added that the outcome of such corporate power shifts has often resulted in job losses, relocation of production, and generally, workers facing the brunt of these changes.

He emphasized the DOJ’s duty to reject any deals that undermine competition and negatively affect working families. “We cannot allow this merger to proceed unless Paramount and Warner Bros. can guarantee legally enforceable protections for domestic production and labor standards,” he noted.

As reported, the Teamsters represent around 15,000 entertainment professionals across the U.S., covering roles from drivers to animal handlers to casting directors.

While Paramount maintains that the acquisition won’t result in widespread job cuts, the Teamsters remain skeptical. Lindsey Dougherty, who directs film operations for the union, stated that the merger is “the last thing our industry needed.”

Dougherty remarked, “This story is not new. The consolidation of corporate power, fueled by greed, is a direct threat to good union jobs and the livelihoods of our members. We will not stand by as corporate executives seek to gain even more power at the expense of the people who make every movie, every show, and every streaming platform possible.”

The Writers Guild of America also voiced its opposition to the merger. WGA West President Michelle Mulroney commented, “There’s every reason to believe this merger will have a negative impact on writers and, of course, everyone in the industry.”

Sean O’Brien has previously criticized other mergers, including the Paramount-Skydance deal, indicating a consistent stance on protecting labor interests. Discussions around potential employment impacts have even reached the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).