The International Brotherhood of Teamsters submitted a report to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division urging the agency to block the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The union’s intervention aims to halt the transaction unless the companies make enforceable commitments to protect domestic production, labor standards, and union jobs. The report cites the potential for significant job losses and reduced competition within the entertainment industry.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien stated the merger threatens the livelihoods of workers who built the studios. “This merger threatens the livelihoods of the very workers who built these studios into industry giants,” O’Brien said. “The DOJ has a responsibility to stop deals that eliminate competition and harm working families.”
The union cited the 2019 Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox as a prior example of consolidation. According to the report, that deal resulted in eliminated production units, significant job losses, and canceled projects. The Motion Picture Teamsters division, which transports equipment and crew, would be most impacted.
The Teamsters expect the DOJ to intervene due to the high likelihood the merger impacts market competition. The union stated the deal should be blocked if Paramount and Warner Bros. cannot provide commitments to maintain domestic production and protect against layoffs.
Paramount Skydance has committed to producing 30 theatrical films annually if the merger is approved. The production would be evenly split across the two studios’ slates, according to the company.
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has connections to the Trump administration, raising concerns about favorable regulatory treatment. Ellison is the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who has close ties with President Donald Trump.
