GREENVILLE, N.C. — Production on the third season of Prime Video's hit competition series Beast Games hangs in the balance as MrBeast and his production company face a potential strike from the Teamsters union, set to begin as early as Friday morning. The standoff, which escalated during tense negotiations on Thursday, centers on disagreements over union representation for the show's crew, just days after a deal was reached with another union, IATSE.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the conflict arose when Beast Industries, the parent company of YouTube sensation MrBeast—real name Jimmy Donaldson—proposed a card check poll to gauge crew interest in Teamsters representation. The proposal required a simple majority of 50% plus one from the affected crew members to approve the union. However, representatives from Teamsters Local 391 in North Carolina and Hollywood's Local 399, led by Lindsay Dougherty, viewed the move as an overreach into their territory and rejected it outright.
The production, currently underway in Greenville, North Carolina, features a $10 million budget and pits 1,000 contestants against each other in a series of high-stakes challenges inspired by the viral success of the show's earlier seasons. Beast Games has drawn comparisons to Netflix's Squid Game but with less dire consequences, emphasizing physical and mental tests rather than fatal outcomes. The series, co-created and fronted by Donaldson, has been a streaming powerhouse, leading Prime Video to renew it for a third season shortly after the Season 2 debut earlier this year.
Teamsters officials have threatened to halt work starting at 6 a.m. Friday if no agreement is reached, a move that would grind the sprawling set to a stop. A labor insider told Deadline that the union sees the card check as an attempt to undermine their organizing efforts, prompting a rapid deterioration in talks that began earlier Thursday. As of late evening, neither Beast Industries nor Local 399 had responded to requests for comment, though sources indicate ongoing parleys to avert the strike.
This dispute follows closely on the heels of a successful agreement with IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, announced on May 11. That deal covers approximately 500 crew members for Season 3 and extends to subsequent seasons, according to IATSE representatives. The union recognition came after Beast Industries acknowledged IATSE's role, solidifying union-level conditions that had already been in place informally for the first two seasons.
Beast Games has maintained union-scale wages for its crew since its inception, a practice appreciated by labor groups seeking to formalize such arrangements in the fast-evolving world of YouTube-to-TV crossovers. Donaldson, known for his philanthropic stunts and massive online following, has positioned his content as a bridge between digital creators and traditional media. Yet, the push for unionization highlights tensions in an industry where non-traditional productions often operate outside established Hollywood norms.
The Teamsters' involvement stems from their jurisdiction over transportation and other on-set roles, particularly relevant for a large-scale production like Beast Games, which requires extensive logistics in rural North Carolina. Local 391, based in the state, has been vocal about protecting workers in regional film and TV shoots, while Local 399 represents a broader swath of West Coast crew members who may travel for high-profile gigs. The dual-local dynamic adds complexity, as both groups coordinate to assert their claims.
Despite the labor friction, the show's momentum remains strong. Season 1 and 2 episodes have amassed millions of views, capitalizing on Donaldson's 300 million-plus YouTube subscribers. Prime Video's quiet renewal for Season 3 underscores the series' value, even amid external challenges. Earlier this year, a former Beast Industries social media staffer filed a harassment and retaliation lawsuit against the company, which Donaldson dismissed as a shakedown. That legal matter has not impacted production schedules, sources say.
The IATSE agreement serves as a potential blueprint for resolving the Teamsters impasse. Reached just two weeks ago, it formalized protections for crew across multiple departments, from set construction to lighting. IATSE officials noted that the deal's scope could influence future seasons, though Amazon has not greenlit anything beyond Season 3. "The agreement covers not only Season 3 but subsequent seasons," IATSE stated in a recent update, emphasizing its long-term implications.
For the crew, the stakes are personal. Many have worked on Beast Games since its pilot stages, drawn by competitive pay and the excitement of a breakout hit. Unionization promises standardized benefits, safety protocols, and grievance procedures—essentials in an industry prone to grueling hours and unpredictable conditions. The card check proposal, while democratic on paper, was seen by Teamsters as a delay tactic, according to the labor insider.
Broader context in the entertainment labor landscape adds urgency. YouTube creators like Donaldson are increasingly entering traditional TV and streaming, challenging old-school systems. As Deadline has reported, these digital stars are becoming the new TV moguls, but their productions often clash with established unions accustomed to legacy studios. The Beast Games saga exemplifies this shift, where informal goodwill meets formal bargaining demands.
Legal salvos have not deterred progress. Despite the ongoing lawsuit from the ex-staffer, which alleges a toxic work environment, Beast Industries has continued full steam ahead. Donaldson has publicly addressed past controversies, including contestant welfare issues from earlier challenges, but has focused on growth. The show's format, with its mix of spectacle and competition, continues to captivate audiences, grossing comparisons to reality TV staples like Survivor on steroids.
As the clock ticks toward Friday's deadline, all eyes are on Greenville. Late-night negotiations could yield a compromise, perhaps mirroring the IATSE model with tailored concessions for Teamsters' roles. Failure to do so risks not just delays but a spotlight on labor practices in creator-driven content. Amazon, as the distributor, has remained hands-off publicly but sources suggest quiet support for a swift resolution to protect its investment.
The potential strike comes at a pivotal time for Beast Games, with Season 3 filming ramping up to meet streaming timelines. Crew members, caught in the middle, await clarity on their representation. Whether through poll, direct recognition, or another path, the outcome will shape how unions engage with the next generation of media empires.
Updates are expected as dawn approaches. For now, the high-energy world of MrBeast's challenges faces its own real-world test: bridging the gap between digital innovation and organized labor.