Production assistants on NBC’s long-running medical drama Chicago Med have voted overwhelmingly to join a union. This is another victory for workers in the entertainment industry who work behind the scenes. The crew voted 11-1 on Wednesday in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election to join Production Assistants United. Five ballots were challenged for eligibility review.
The overwhelming support shows that more and more Hollywood productions are becoming unionized. “We’re not saying ‘forget the studios,’ we just want a place at the table too,” said Evelyn-Mariah Johnson, a PA on the show. A secret organizer stressed the important role of PAs: “Production assistants are the only support staff in Hollywood who are actually making the movies and shows we all love.” They deserve to be represented so they can negotiate as a group.
This comes after the PAs on the sister show Chicago Fire voted to join a union in December. This was the first Chicago-shot show to do so through an NLRB election. Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment, the companies behind the show, have not yet said anything about the news.
A Wider Trend Toward Unionization Since its first win in September 2025, Production Assistants United, which is part of L.A.-based LiUNA Local 724, has won on shows like The Pitt, Abbott Elementary, and George & Mandy’s First Wedding. The goal of these efforts is to get entry-level crew members better pay, health benefits, reasonable hours, and ways to move up in their careers.
