Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/308664
42 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2014 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location S AG-AFTRA and Univision Spanish-language station KMEX have agreed on a successor collective bargaining agreement for KMEX. e deal, reached Jan. 27, includes a series of enhanced benefits and more favorable terms over the course of the next three years. Minimum scale for full-time employees will increase by 12.09 percent and part-timers' hourly rates will increase from $45.41 an hour to $50.40. In addition, health and retirement contributions will increase from 11.5 percent to 13 percent. Two major achievements were made in the area of severance, increasing the cap of 44 weeks to 52 weeks, and the yearly reuse fee, which will see a 20-percent jump during the new term. Other significant changes include employee access to the company's flexible spending account, increases to the per diem rate, additional bereavement leave and increases to the paid salary continuance time period for pregnancy disability. e members were represented by SAG-AFTRA Director of News and Broadcast Anna Calderón, who also served as the chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, and longtime seasoned broadcast representative Patricia Morgan. e deal was ratified by the unit members and approved by the Executive Committee of SAG-AFTRA's National Board and the local board. NEW BILL AIMS TO INCREASE CA FILM & TV PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS T he Made in Hollywood Awards honored locally created films Feb. 13, including Her, e Croods and Frozen. e awards, which serve as a reminder of the economic benefits of local production, were presented just days before the new tax incentive bill was introduced by California State Assembly members Raul Bocanegra and Mike Gatto on Feb. 19. AB 1839 is intended to bolster local productions by dramatically increasing tax credits, making production in the state far more competitive and viable. e California Film and Tax Credit Program was allocated $100 million beginning fiscal year 2009-2010 through fiscal year 2016- 2017. SAG-AFTRA belongs to the California Film & Television Production Alliance, which includes several other unions, guilds, producers and small businesses. SUPPORTING OUR SINGERS SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT REACHED WITH KMEX Los Angeles L egendary Beach Boy Mike Love, dancer/humanitarian Nigel Lythgoe and the Waters Family were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the music industry at the Society of Singers 21st Annual Ella Awards and Benefit Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 20. e Ella awards show is not only a presentation of talented artists, but a major fundraiser that provides essential resources and assistance for singers in need. e Society of Singers, founded by Ginny Mancini and Gilda Maiken Anderson, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and restoring the personal dignity, health, and welfare of professional vocalists nationwide. e first Ella Award was presented to singer Ella Fitzgerald in 1989. SAG-AFTRA officers, members and staff enjoy the Ella Awards. Go to filmworksca.com to learn more and sign the petition to increase local production. SAG-AFTRA National Board member Robert Pine, second from right, and Los Angeles Executive Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, right, attend Los Angeles City Council's Made In Hollywood award presentation Feb. 13. 42-47_OnLoc_F.indd 42 4/23/14 4:42 PM