December 16, 2021
The DGA membership overwhelmingly ratified the new collective bargaining agreement between the DGA and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, Inc. (AICP).
Highlights of the agreement include:
- Wage increases of between 3% and 3.5% in the first year of the contract depending upon category, and 3% in the second year of the contract, with an additional 0.5% increase to the employer contribution rate to the DGA Pension Plan – for total first year economic increases of between 3.5% and 4%.
- A 10.5% increase in the base salaries upon which pension and health contributions are made for most Directors, which will result in increased retirement benefits and also make it easier to qualify for health coverage.
- Adding Juneteenth as a holiday.
- An additional mandatory prep day for First Assistant Directors when there is a substantial change to the production schedule or shooting boards.
Negotiations with the AICP took place over several stretches between August and November of this year and were led by Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich and a committee of experienced members who work in commercials. The DGA’s National Board unanimously approved the contract during a special board meeting on November 20.
The new contract is effective immediately and covers a two-year term from December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2023.