Hollywood strike averted after union and producers reach last-minute deal

Up to 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers had been set to strike from Monday over claims of excessive hours and unliveable wages

An 11th-hour deal between producers and the union representing 60,000 film and television workers has averted a strike that threatened to cause widespread disruption in Hollywood.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which includes camera operators, makeup artists, sound technicians and others, said negotiators agreed to a new three-year contract on Saturday, ahead of a Monday deadline that would have seen them walk off the job.