October 18, 2010
LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, October 16, the DGA National Board of Directors voted unanimously to send a tentative new Network Staff Agreement to members for ratification. The tentative agreement incorporates wage and health plan increases and jurisdiction over secondary digital channels, and encourages the creation of new work opportunities for DGA members.
The negotiations, which began on September 13 in New York, concluded in the early morning hours of September 25 after two weeks of intense negotiations between the DGA's Network Negotiating Committee, headed by Chair William M. Brady, Vice Chair Scott Berger and DGA Eastern Executive Director Russell Hollander, and ABC, CBS and NBC. The agreement was then presented to the National Board at its board meeting in New York.
The three-year agreement covers Guild staff and freelance members employed in news, sports and operations at the companies' television networks and at a number of their owned and operated television stations.
- Increased Employer contribution to the DGA-Producer Health Plan by 1%, to a total of 9.5%;
- Increased wages and fees by 2% in the second year and another 2% in the third year of the contract;
- Confirmation of jurisdiction over programs produced by CBS and NBC for secondary digital channels; and
- Additional work opportunities for our members through partnership with the Companies to encourage local programming that employs DGA members.
"It's no secret that the past few years have been extremely difficult for local stations and news operations, with severe declines in advertising and revenue," said DGA President Taylor Hackford. "Despite this challenging climate, the Negotiations Committee successfully achieved a number of gains, which I think is an indication of the extremely high value our members bring to news, sports and operations. I congratulate Bill and the rest of the Negotiations Committee on a job very well done."
"This negotiation took place during the worst of times for news and local stations, and we knew going in that we'd be asked to make severe changes to the way we do business," said Negotiations Chair Brady. "Thanks to a well-respected, extremely knowledgeable and resolute committee with the support and guidance of Guild staff on both coasts, we were able to fend off a series of onerous proposals and secure a solid agreement which includes economic increases in wages and benefits, jurisdictional gains, and no significant concessions at all."
"This was truly one of the most difficult negotiations the Guild has ever faced in news, sports and operations," added Hollander. "Bill Brady was simply stupendous in his role as Negotiations Chair and the gains we made were remarkable and a real tribute to the preparation and leadership of the committee. It was a long two weeks but we reached agreement and I'm pleased the National Board voted to approve sending the agreement to members for ratification."
The new agreement, if ratified, will be effective July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014.