Teamsters Local 399 has criticised Paramount over its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, demanding firm commitments to workers rather than public assurances and threats to leave California. The union says the merger could damage domestic film and television production and put jobs at risk, especially if cost-cutting follows a deal.

The transaction is stalled by an antitrust lawsuit from state attorneys general, with a trial scheduled for spring 2027; Paramount has reportedly suggested it could leave California unless a settlement is reached by 1 October. Delays could trigger $7 million-a-day payments to WBD shareholders from late September, while a combined company would reportedly carry $80 billion in debt and face expected redundancies. Paramount has promised editorial independence for CNN and 30 film releases a year, but the Teamsters says these pledges do not yet protect workers.