Dear LaborPress Family,
As we close out 2025 and step into the final month of the year, I want to take a moment to shine a bright spotlight on a group of workers whose labor most people never see, but whose impact they feel every single day: the men and women of the entertainment unions.
This December, LaborPress is recognizing the entertainment unions and all those who make film, television, theater, music, live events, and digital media possible. From performers to production crews, writers to wardrobe, stagehands to sound engineers, these workers bring our stories to life. They help us laugh, cry, think, and come together — often during the hardest moments in our history. Their work is not just “content.” It is culture, connection, and community.
Entertainment workers face a unique set of struggles and challenges. Their livelihoods are often shaped by irregular schedules, seasonal and gig-based work, long hours on set or on stage, and constant pressure to “do more with less.” They contend with technological change — streaming, digitization, and now artificial intelligence — that can transform their industry overnight. They fight to protect residuals, secure fair contracts, maintain safety on set, and ensure that the promises made in good times still hold during lean times.
Through all of this, the entertainment unions have shown remarkable solidarity. Whether organizing major contract fights, rallying around fair pay and protections in the streaming era, or standing shoulder to shoulder with other unions on the picket line, they remind us that the groundwork for justice is laid not by individual stars, but by collective action. The spotlight may hit a small number of people, but the union makes sure everyone behind that light is recognized and respected.
Their contributions extend far beyond any stage or screen. In moments of crisis, it is often our storytellers who help us process grief, find hope, and imagine a better future. The entertainment industry has a powerful ripple effect: when workers are treated fairly, when contracts protect health, safety, and dignity, it raises expectations for workers in every industry. The entertainment unions are not just fighting for themselves — they are helping to shape what is possible for the entire labor movement.
At LaborPress, our mission has always been to tell these stories — to give workers a voice and to make sure their victories, struggles, and visions for the future are seen and heard. When I founded LaborPress in 2009, it was to provide a dedicated platform for unions and workers that mainstream media too often overlooked. Today, we’re proud to be a trusted source for daily labor news, connecting union leaders, rank-and-file members, retirees, and allies across the country.
Each month, we also highlight a wellness theme that speaks directly to the realities of working families. For December, our wellness focus is Financial Health — for members and their families. We know that strong contracts and union protections are essential, but we also know that day-to-day financial decisions — budgeting, saving, managing debt, preparing for emergencies, planning for retirement — can make a huge difference in a family’s stability and peace of mind.
This is especially true for workers in industries like entertainment, where income can fluctuate and “down time” between jobs is part of the reality. Even with union protections, it’s crucial to have the tools, information, and support to build resilience — to plan for the unexpected, protect your family, and make the most of the benefits and resources your union provides.
All month long, LaborPress will be sharing financial health tips tailored for working families:
- Practical guidance on budgeting and saving during busy and slow seasons
- Ideas for making the most of your union benefits, pension, and health funds
- Insights on protecting your household during strikes, layoffs, or work stoppages
- Tools and resources that unions and benefit funds are offering around financial education
I invite you to follow LaborPress on our blog, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to stay connected with these financial health resources throughout December. Think of it as one more way we can stand together — not only on the job, but at the kitchen table, where so many tough decisions are made.
As 2025 comes to a close, I’m deeply grateful for the strength and solidarity we’ve seen across the labor movement. From historic organizing efforts to hard-fought contract wins, working people have reminded the country that unions are not a relic of the past — they are the engine of a more just future. Entertainment unions have been at the heart of that story, using their collective power to demand respect in an industry that depends on their creativity, skill, and dedication.
To all the entertainment unions and their members: thank you. Thank you for your courage on the picket lines, your discipline at the bargaining table, and your unwavering belief that workers deserve a fair share of the value they create. Thank you for the art and storytelling that lift our spirits and challenge us to see the world with new eyes. And thank you for your ongoing contributions to the broader labor movement — you remind us that when workers in one industry rise, we all rise.
As we enter the holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families. I hope this time brings you rest, good health, and moments of real connection. May your homes be filled with love, laughter, and solidarity. May you have the space to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished this year — and to imagine what’s possible in the year ahead.
LaborPress will be right there with you in 2026: telling your stories, covering your campaigns, spotlighting your victories, and standing alongside you as you build better workplaces and stronger communities. Our commitment is simple: to honor the dignity of work, to uplift the voices of workers, and to help ensure that no union stands alone.
On behalf of everyone at LaborPress, thank you for being part of this community. To all the workers in the entertainment unions — and to all union members everywhere — I wish you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with health, financial stability, opportunity, and solidarity.
In unity,
Neal Tepel
Founder & Publisher, LaborPress
