Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1184532
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 I 7 Network Negotiations Co-Chairs Brett Holey, Lily Olszewski and Scott Berger said: "Since news and sports are mature businesses, we focused on wages and pension, the issues most important to us – while making clear that rollbacks were unacceptable. We feel we accomplished our goals. We had an experienced Committee made up of outstanding staff and freelance employees from the networks and local stations. With the support, guidance and hard work of Guild staff we were able to withstand the networks' challenges and secured an agreement that will work as hard for our members as we all do to bring news and sporting events to audiences across the country. Thanks to our phenomenal team, we were able to fend off proposals for significant concessions while achieving increases in wages and benefits, as well as other meaningful improvements for our members." DGA Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich said: "These were tough negotiations. But our Co-Chairs, utilizing the skills, forward-thinking and tenacity they bring to their jobs day in and day out, achieved a contract that serves our membership today, and also looks forward into the future. This is a deal that we're very proud of." The Guild's current contract with the networks expires on June 30, 2020. If ratified, the new contract will cover the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 The Network Negotiating Committee and the National Board enthusiastically recommend members vote YES for ratification of these Agreements and ballots were sent to the membership on October 30, 2019. All ballots must be received at the Guild accountant's office by Tuesday, November 19, 2019 to be counted. If you have any questions about the new agreement, please contact DGA Assistant Executive Director Michael Berger in New York at (212) 258-0802 or DGA Assistant Executive Director Lisa Layer in Los Angeles at (310) 289-2067. DGA, Networks Reach Tentative Agreement in News, Sports, Local and Operations, continued On Saturday, October 26, 2019, Director Michael Mann was appointed to the rank of Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) by the Ambassador of France to the United States Philippe Étienne, and The Deputy Consul General of France in Los Angeles, Ms. Nathalie Soirat. The award, which is given in recognition of significant enrichment of the French cultural inheritance and contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields, was presented at the Résidence de France in Beverly Hills, California. The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France established in 1957 by the Minister of Culture. "Mann has been awarded Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters for his contribution to cultural exchange between France and the United States, his profoundly impactful career and the masterpieces that continue to capture imaginations and inspire so many other artists," noted Ambassador Étienne. A DGA member since 1977, Mann serves as a Board Member of the Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF), a partnership of the DGA, the Motion Picture Association, France's Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM), and the Writers Guild of America, West. The FACF recently presented the 23rd edition of the COLCOA French Film Festival in Los Angeles. In addition to his current service as an alternate to the DGA National Board, a member of the Western Directors Council and a member of the Theatrical Creative Rights Committee, Mann has also served on various Guild committees including the Negotiating Committee and the Task Force on Violence and Social Responsibility. In 1999, Mann was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for The Insider. In 1979, he won the DGA Award in the Movies for Television category for The Jericho Mile. Director Michael Mann Receives French Honor Ambassador of France to the United States Philippe Étienne and Director Michael Mann.