Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1443816
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 I 5 On December 16, 2021, the DGA announced that the membership overwhelmingly ratified the new collective bargaining agreement between the DGA and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, Inc. (AICP). Highlights of the agreement include: • Wage increases of between 3% and 3.5% in the first year of the contract depending upon category, and 3% in the second year of the contract, with an additional 0.5% increase to the employer contribution rate to the DGA Pension Plan – for total first year economic increases of between 3.5% and 4%. • A 10.5% increase in the base salaries upon which pension and health contributions are made for most Directors, which will result in increased retirement benefits and also make it easier to qualify for health coverage. • Adding Juneteenth as a holiday. • An additional mandatory prep day for First Assistant Directors when there is a substantial change to the production schedule or shooting boards. Negotiations with the AICP took place over several stretches between August and November of 2021 and were led by Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich and a committee of experienced members who work in commercials. The DGA's National Board unanimously approved the contract during a special board meeting on November 20. The new contract is effective immediately and covers a two-year term from December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2023. Visit the contracts section of www.dga.org to view the Commercial Rate Cards for 2021-2022 and/or the Memorandum of Agreement. If you have any questions about the new agreement, please contact: John Hollahan (jhollahan@dga.org) in New York at (212) 258-0827 or Juanita Butler (jbutler@dga.org) in Los Angeles at (310) 752-5989. DGA Membership Ratifies New Commercial Contract & Rate Cards Available Online Council Elections Timeline 2022 • Council Nominations Process Opens Online: Tuesday, February 1 • Deadline for Nominations: Tuesday, March 1, 6:00 P.M. PST • Council Primary Elections Open Online: Tuesday, March 22 • Deadline for Primary Elections: Tuesday, April 12, 6:00 P.M. PDT • Council Final Elections Open Online: Thursday, April 21 • Deadline for Final Elections: Thursday, May 12, 6:00 P.M. PDT 2022 Council Nominations Are you an active working member interested in becoming a leader of your Guild or know of a member who should consider serving? Nominations for the Guild's annual Council elections will open soon. Pursuant to the DGA Constitution and Bylaws, each of the six Category Councils – Western Directors Council, Eastern Directors Council, Western AD/UPM Council, Eastern AD/UPM Council, Western AD/SM/PA Council and the Eastern AD/SM/PA Council will elect representatives to serve for the 2022 – 2024 term of office. All members eligible to vote will be sent an email or letter with more information and specific instructions regarding eligibility requirements, online nominations and voting. If you have any questions regarding the DGA Council Elections, please contact the DGA National Office at (310) 289-5382 or email elections@dga.org.