Chicago Med PAs Unionize: Production Assistants Vote to Join Production Assistants United

Production assistants on NBC’s Chicago Med have voted to unionize, marking the latest wave of labor organization sweeping through television production. The crew members cast their votes 11-1 on Wednesday to join Production Assistants United (PAU), a union affiliated with the laborers’ union LiUNA Local 724.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will now certify the results, though the eligibility of five ballots remains under review. This move builds on a growing momentum for PAU, which has successfully organized several productions in recent months, including the Chicago-based Chicago Fire in December 2025. Chicago Fire was the first show filmed in Chicago to achieve unionization through PAU.

“We’re not saying ‘fuck the studios,’ we just want a seat at the table too,” said Evelyn-Mariah Johnson, a production assistant on Chicago Med, in a statement released following the vote. The sentiment reflects a broader desire among PAs to have their voices heard and secure better working conditions within the industry.

An anonymous organizer for the campaign emphasized the crucial role PAs play in the creation of television and film. “PAs are the only assistants in Hollywood that are on the ground making the movies and shows we all love. They deserve a seat at the table to collectively bargain. Studios investing in a PA union will better safeguard the next generation of talent for this industry,” they stated.

The unionization effort at Chicago Med follows a string of successful organizing drives by PAU. Since September 2025, the group has secured union representation for productions including The Pitt, The Four Seasons, Abbott Elementary, All American, and George & Mandy’s First Marriage. This rapid expansion demonstrates a growing appetite for collective bargaining among production assistants across various genres and platforms.

Chicago Med, a long-running medical drama created by Dick Wolf, follows the lives of doctors and nurses working in a busy Chicago hospital. The series, starring S. Epatha Merkerson, Torrey DeVitto, Nick Gehlfuss, and Yaya DaCosta, is currently in its eleventh season and remains a popular fixture on NBC’s lineup.

The success of PAU’s organizing efforts is particularly notable in Chicago, where the One Chicago franchise – consisting of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med – provides a significant number of production jobs. The unionization of Chicago Fire in December paved the way for this latest victory at Chicago Med, signaling a potential shift in the labor landscape for television production in the city.

The move comes as Hollywood continues to grapple with evolving labor dynamics. Production assistants, often entry-level positions, are frequently tasked with demanding and often undercompensated work. Unionization offers PAs the opportunity to negotiate for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions, addressing concerns about job security and career advancement.

Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment, the production companies behind Chicago Med, have been contacted for comment but have not yet issued a statement. The next step for PAU and Chicago Med will be to begin negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement, outlining the terms of employment for production assistants on the show. This process will likely involve discussions on issues such as pay scales, work hours, health insurance, and grievance procedures.

The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched by other production assistants and labor organizers across the industry. The growing momentum behind PAU suggests that the demand for union representation among PAs is likely to continue, potentially leading to further organizing efforts in the months and years to come. This wave of unionization reflects a broader trend of workers seeking greater control over their working lives and a fairer share of the profits generated by the entertainment industry.