Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today announced that the DGA membership overwhelmingly ratified the new collective bargaining agreement between the DGA and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP).
“With this strong new contract, we have not only secured wage increases, improved pension and health contributions and created new work opportunities for our members, we have also laid the groundwork for the creation of the first-ever commercial diversity program, all while recognizing the flexibility needed to help this important sector of our business flourish,” said Barclay. “I congratulate the DGA negotiations committee and our professional staff on their excellent results.”
Negotiations were led by Associate National Executive Director/Eastern Executive Director Russ Hollander and a negotiations committee made up of DGA members.
The new agreement includes wage increases of 3% in each year of the contract; a significant increase in contributions to the Pension and Health Plans on behalf of directors employed by companies represented by the AICP, which will allow more directors to qualify for health coverage and increase retirement benefits; and the establishment of a first-ever diversity program, to be developed and administered by the AICP, with the goal of expanding directorial opportunities for women and ethnic minorities.
The agreement also includes new low budget commercial provisions for companies represented by the AICP that will bring more work to DGA members by providing these companies with the flexibility to capture additional commercial projects; and additional provisions to increase work opportunities for members working outside of Los Angeles and New York.
The DGA’s National Board of Directors unanimously approved the contract during the National Board Meeting on October 18, 2014, and ratifications materials were sent to the membership shortly thereafter.
The new contract covers a three-year term from December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2017.
