By Lisa Richwine, Bhargav Aharya

LOS ANGELES (Reuters] – The union which represents approximately 60,000 people working behind-the scenes on film and television came to a tentative arrangement with producers last Saturday. It avoided a strike that was likely to disrupt the industry.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees – which encompasses camera operators and sound technicians – announced that the negotiators reached a new, three-year agreement.

Matthew Loeb president of the union said, in an emailed message, “This ending is Hollywood.” Our members stood strong. They are strong and uncompromising.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused shutdowns that resulted in a backlog of production. Crews had to work up to 14 hours per day to provide programming for streaming services.

The union threatened strike action starting Monday if they could not reach an agreement.

In the most significant strike since the strike of Hollywood screenwriters in 2007-2008, television and film production would have been stopped across the United States. The strike would have affected a large number of media companies, including Walt Disney Company (NASDAQ:) Disney (NYSE) Co and Comcast Corp

IATSE wanted to lower working hours, and improve the compensation of those who are involved in shows that stream on streaming platforms. The rates for these show were much lower than they were 10 years ago. This was back when internet video was still in its early days.

IATSE, in its statement, said the proposed contract addresses those issues, including rest periods, meal breaks, a living wage for those on the bottom of the pay scale, and significant increases in compensation to be paid by new-media companies.

IATSE members must approve the new labor agreement.