Directors Guild Of Canada BC ratifies new film and TV contract

Members of the British Columbia Canadian Directors Guild voted overwhelmingly (89.5% to 10.5%) to ratify a new three-year film and television contract with AMPTP and the Canadian Association of Media Producers-BC.

The Guild said Thursday that 64% of eligible members and those with permits had cast their vote “to have their voices heard.”

The agreement on the new contract, reached on June 8 after 15 months of irregular and repeated negotiations, puts an end to an unusual union dispute that led the union to issue its first “strike” in April. However, the union will never go on strike due to the weirdness of Canadian labor law, which offers manufacturing companies a “safe haven” to keep firing until they accept a new contract when it expires. All the companies that were touring in the province have signed safe harbor contracts and are now bound by the terms of the new contract.

“Today is an important day,” said Alan Harmon, chair of the BC DGC District Council. “It has been a long and difficult journey. But thanks to a lot of effort, we have an agreement we can be proud of. We are all grateful to the Negotiating Committee for their thoughtful representation at the table; National DGC and other district councils for their solidarity; Our expert legal advisor; E Executive and Personnel Management of DGC BC. But most of all I want to thank our members for their participation and the strike mandate over the past 15 months. “We couldn’t have done it without your support.”

“Having a workforce treated fairly, respectfully and with a safe working environment is key to industry stability,” said Kendry Upton, CEO of DGC BC. “The ratification of this agreement means that BC is open to business. We look forward to collaborating again with our most valued clients and stakeholders during an intense summer of shooting. “

A spokesperson for the Film and Television Producers Alliance said, “We are delighted to have signed a new contract with DGC BC and look forward to continuing production in the province of British Columbia, while maintaining its status as a major production center. In North America. “

The main points of the agreement include:

• Salaries increase by 3% per year, with reversion until 11 July 2021.
• Minimum wage gaps Ensure that as the minimum wage increases, wage rates continue to be slightly above the minimum wage.
• Significant salary increase for area directors, which will result in a 15.8% salary increase during the term of the contract.
• Food penalties that give producers incentives to provide guild staff with timely meals and fines otherwise. Guild called it a “great victory”.
• Mandatory placement or transportation must be provided at the employer’s request and expense for DGC BC crew who have worked 14 hours or more and are too tired to go home.
• Total retroactivity in the payment of the COVID-19 trial scholarship.
• Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honors the approximately 6,000-15,000 indigenous children who died in tragic conditions in 140 federal residential schools between 1831 and 1998, will be recognized every September 30 as a paid holiday.