Legal & Compliance Home

CBA Updates - August 2020

Collective Bargaining Agreements - August 2020 Updates
August 11, 2020
Collective Bargaining Agreements Update

Collective Bargaining Agreements
August 2020 Updates

SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice ("Network Code")

There are various wage-rate and fee changes occurring on July 1, 2020 that range from 1.5% to 3% (most are 3%), depending on type of product. The Network Code rate sheet can be found here.

Effective July 1, 2020, there will be an increase of .5%, increasing the total benefit fund contribution rate (exclusive of contributions to the Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, which have not changed) from 18% to 18.5%.

SAG-AFTRA Basic and Television Agreements

Wages

2.5% minimum wage increase effective July 1, 2020.

Health Contributions

Effective July 1, 2020, there will be an increase of 1%, increasing the total benefit fund contribution rate (exclusive of contributions to the Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, which have not changed) from 18.5% to 19.5%. The Sideletter K contribution rate to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, which applies to pilots and the first two seasons of one-hour dramas, also increases by 1% effective July 1, 2020.

The total benefit fund contribution rate on residuals paid for the exhibition of programs and motion pictures through home video, DVD and Electronic Sell Through remains at 13.5%.

High Budget SVOD Budget Thresholds

Effective July 1, 2020, the budget thresholds that must be met to trigger "high-budget" terms have been reduced as follows:

for a ½ hour program (20-35 minutes), decreased from $1,300,000 to $1,000,000; and for a 1-hour program (35-65 minutes), decreased from $2,500,000 to $1,700,000.

These improvements shall not apply to programs that commence principal photography prior to July 1, 2020, or to a series if the first episode commences principal photography prior to July 1, 2020, pursuant to a license agreement entered into prior to July 1, 2020, or to programs and series commencing on or after July 1, 2020 pursuant to a license agreement entered into prior to July 1, 2020 unless the Producer has the right to negotiate the material terms of the license for the additional programs or episodes.

Residual Modifications

For residual updates, please contact our Residuals Department (residualrequests@ep.com).

New Overtime Protection for Weekly Stunt Performers

For Stunt Performers engaged on episodic series under Schedule H-II, stunt adjustments will no longer cause OT terms to shift to H-III.

Total salary, including stunt adjustments, will be used to determine the OT rate, subject to the applicable money breaks (caps).

Increase Weekly Schedule Breaks

Increase from $5,000 per week to $5,150 per week effective July 1, 2020 for singers working under Schedule G, stunt performers working under Schedule H and contract and multiple-picture performers engaged under Schedule F, with the exception of performers engaged under Schedule F to work on multi-part, closed-end pictures.

Increased Fittings Money Break

Effective July 1, 2020, the minimum salary that a Producer must pay a day performer in order to avoid the obligation to pay that performer for time spent at fittings on a day prior to work will increase from $1,200 per day to $1,400 per day.

Air Travel

The union extended the rule that allows coach class air travel for domestic flights under 1,000 air miles to international travel as well.

A. New Rule: Flights that are under 1,000 air miles and that are non-stop from the departure point to the final destination may now be booked in coach even if the departure point and/or destination is outside of the United States.

B. Access to Lounges and Priority Boarding: Access to first-class lounges and priority boarding will be provided for coach-class air travel outside of North America.

DGA Basic and FLTTA Agreements

Wages

With certain exceptions most salary rates increase by two and one-half percent (2.5%) effective July 1, 2020. Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific wage increase details.

Pension Contribution Rate

Increase by one percent (1.0%) effective July 1, 2020.

Pension Contribution Cap

Modify subparagraph 12-202(a) of the Basic Agreement to increase the salary cap for Directors for purposes of pension contributions made in connection with any single theatrical motion picture from $200,000 to $250,000.

Modify subparagraph 12-202(b) of the Basic Agreement to increase the salary cap for Directors for purposes of pension contributions made in connection with any one television motion picture ninety (90) minutes or longer or any one multi-part closed-end series from $200,000 to $250,000.

Pension Contributions on Multi-Year Theatrical Motion Pictures

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes effective July 1, 2020.

High Budget SVOD and Basic Cable Budget Thresholds

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes effective July 1, 2020.

High Budget SVOD Pilots and Spinoffs

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes effective July 1, 2020.

Non-Dramatic Programs

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes to Paragraph 1(c) of Sideletter No. 6 of the FLTTA effective July 1, 2020.

Distant Location

A new Paragraph has been added to Article 10, Part 2, Section D. of the FLTTA effective July 1. 2020:

13. Distant Location Days
Associate Directors and Stage Managers who work on distant location receive an additional fee of fifty-five dollars ($55.00) for each day of work on distant location.

Production Fee

Article 10, Part 2, Section D., Paragraph 10 of the FLTTA has been amended to increase the maximum production fee owed for any workweek to Associate Directors and Stage Managers employed on non-prime time entertainment programs to one hundred dollars ($100.00) effective July 1, 2020.

Second Unit Work on Weekly or Daily Basis and Applicable Preparation Time

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes to Paragraph 4-102 of the 2020 DGA Basic Agreement effective July 1, 2020.

Air Travel

Please contact Labor Relations (laborrelations2@ep.com) or your Paymaster for specific details on changes to Paragraph 4-104(a) ("Travel") and 13-214(a) ("Travel to Distant Location and Insurance") of the DGA Basic Agreement along with the conforming changes to the FLTTA effective July 1, 2020.

Residual Modifications

For residual updates, please contact our Residuals Department (residualrequests@ep.com).

IATSE Basic Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective August 2, 2020.

Health Contributions

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

Effective August 2, 2020, the following rates apply, except that the contribution rate for the Script Coordinators and Writers' Room Assistants employed under the Local #871 Amendment Agreement remains at $0.0708 per hour for the term of the Agreement.

Standard - $0.60 per hour

Film Labs - $0.017 per hour

Production Office Coordinators, Assistant Production Office Coordinators and Art Department Coordinators (Local #871) - $0.092 per hour

IATSE Area Standards Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective August 2, 2020.

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $5.00 per day.

Weekly Living Allowance

Nearby hires receive a weekly living allowance of at least $532.00 per week effective August 2, 2020, or $76 per prorated day effective August 2, 2020.

IATSE Videotape Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective October 4, 2020.

Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

Effective October 4, 2020, the following rates apply, except that the contribution rate for the Script Coordinators and Writers' Room Assistants employed under the Local #871 Amendment Agreement remains at $0.0708 per hour for the term of the Agreement.

Standard - $0.60 per hour

Production Office Coordinators, Assistant Production Office Coordinators and Art Department Coordinators (Local #871) - $0.092 per hour

Local 839 Animation Guild Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective August 2, 2020.

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

Effective August 2, 2020, increase by $0.01 per hour for a total contribution rate of $0.10 per hour.

Non-Affiliate Producers Group & Non-Affiliate Freelance Post- Production Supervisors Group

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

Non-Affiliate Accountants Group

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

IAP Contribution Rate

Effective August 2, 2020, the following rates apply:

On-call Employees:

Production Accountants
Studio Rate - Total IAP Contribution: $211.70 per week
Distant Location Rate - Total IAP Contribution: $274.09 per week

Assistant Production Accountants
Studio Rate - Total IAP Contribution: $119.05 per week
Distant Location Rate - Total IAP Contribution: $153.66 per week

Hourly Employees:

Production Accountants
Studio Rate - Hourly IAP Contribution: $3.78 per hour
Distant Location Rate - Hourly IAP Contribution: $4.89 per hour

Assistant Production Accountants
Studio Rate - Hourly IAP Contribution: $2.13 per hour
Distant Location Rate - Hourly IAP Contribution: $2.74 per hour

Basic Crafts (Local 399 Drivers, Local 40 IBEW, Local 755 Plasterers, Local 724 Laborers, & Local 78 Plumbers) Agreements

Wages

2.5% minimum wage increase effective August 2, 2020.

IAP Contributions

Effective August 2, 2020, IAP percentage contributions increase to 8% except for Transportation Coordinators, Stunt Drivers, Ramrods, and Trainers (occ codes 3500, 3525, 3550 and 3571) for which IAP increases to $2.91 per hour.

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

The general contribution rate increases by an additional $0.07 per hour effective August 2, 2020 for a total of $0.60 per hour. The contributions made on behalf of laboratory employees increases to $0.017 per hour effective August 2, 2020.

Local 399 Location Managers Agreement

Wages

2.5% minimum wage increase effective August 2, 2020.

IAP Contributions

Effective August 2, 2020, IAP percentage contributions increase to 8%.

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

Car Allowance

The car allowance amount increases to $91.00 effective August 2, 2020.

CSATF Contribution Rate

Contributions increase to $0.225 per hour for each hour worked by or guaranteed each employee effective August 2, 2020.

Local 399/817 Casting Directors Agreement

Wages

Effective October 4, 2020, the rate for Associate Casting Directors employed on television programs increases to $19.00 per hour.

Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

Increase to $0.092 per hour effective October 4, 2020.

Local 399 Cook Helper-Drivers Amendment Agreement

Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor," and an increase of $0.75 per hour for a Producer who does not qualify as a "$15 Million Contributor."

CSATF Contribution Rate

Increase to $0.60 per hour effective August 2, 2020.

Local 52 Majors Theatrical & TV Agreement

Benefit Contributions

Part A - Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor."

Part B - Effective August 2, 2020, an increase of $5.00 per day.

Local 52 Majors Supplemental Digital Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective October 4, 2020.

Benefit Contributions

Article 30 - Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor."

Article 32 - Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $5.00 per day.

Local 161 Majors Supplemental Digital Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective October 4, 2020.

Benefit Contributions

Article 31(b) - Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $0.10 per hour for a Producer who qualifies as a "$15 Million Contributor."

Article 31(d) - Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $4.00 per day.

Local 764 Majors Supplemental Digital Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective October 4, 2020.

Benefit Contributions

Article 31(a) - Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $4.00 per day.

Local 798 Majors Supplemental Digital Agreement

Wages

3% minimum wage increase effective October 4, 2020.

Benefit Contributions

Effective October 4, 2020, an increase of $2.00 per day.

United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 Majors Agreement

Wages

3% minimum rate increase effective October 4, 2020. However, various exceptions apply as shown here on Local 829's rate sheet.

Benefit Contributions

Effective October 4, 2020, the benefit contribution rate increases by $5.00 per day, except that benefit contributions for Art Department Coordinators on theatrical pictures increases by $7.00 per day.

Productions Made for New Media

The threshold for theatrical wage, fringe rates, and working conditions applicable to live action High Budget SVOD Programs 96-minutes or more in length (other than a pilot, episode of a series, or part of a mini-series) increases to $31.83 million or more effective October 4, 2020.

United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 Costume Department Coordinators Agreement

Benefit Contributions

Additional $7.00 per day increase on theatrical pictures effective October 4, 2020.

Additional $5.00 per day increase on television pictures effective October 4, 2020.

Local 817 Majors Drivers Agreement

Wages

2% minimum wage increase effective November 1, 2020.

401K Plan

1% increase effective November 1, 2020.

DOT Compliance and Dispatcher/DOT Compliance

New classifications apply to feature productions and one-time television or new media productions, the principal photography of which commences on or after January 1, 2020. For series productions, the foregoing applies only to seasons that commence principal photography on or after January 1, 2020.

Topic: CBA