The Directors Guild is waiting for the moment “when we believe we have the most leverage to win” to begin formal contract negotiations in 2023 with studios and streamers, according to two publishers. union leaders.
The association, which negotiates on behalf of directors, assistant directors, unit production directors and others, updated its members on Monday that the negotiation date for the film contract and their core TV is yet to be scheduled. Both the Basic Agreement and the DGA Freelancer Tap and Live TV Agreement expire on June 30, 2023.
“When it comes to deciding when to start negotiating, we are guided by one simple principle: we will only begin negotiating when we believe we have the most leverage to win a deal. the best possible deal for the DGA Directors and their teams,” DGA president of negotiations Jon Avnet and country executive Russell Hollander said in the message. “A few years, that meant we were in early negotiations, but only if the Studio agreed to address our priorities and we were confident we could deduct a premium to provide giving them the security they need to plan their summer and fall schedules… Other times, we’ve had more leverage near the end of our contracts.”
Leverage for this year’s DGA may depend on the status of negotiations with other industry unions. The Writers Guild of America pact expires on May 1, while SAG-AFTRA’s TV/Theater contract also expires on June 30. At a time when rumors of a strike were heard. As the work of potential writers grows larger and larger, the DGA still seems to have left its options open.
However, as they spoke to members in November about the upcoming round of talks, Avnet and Hollander warned that economic headwinds would test the alliance’s standing. “This year promises to be an extremely challenging negotiating environment – one of the most difficult and complex we have faced in years – with studios continuing to consolidate and increasingly vertical integration, concurrent with unusual economic headwinds facing our industry and country,” the leaders wrote. “In this environment, your strength and support will be more important than ever.”
Without going into specifics, Guild leaders have previously stated that increasing streaming balances and raising salaries will be the core priorities of the association during this round of negotiations. Also on their to-do list: codify new safety standards, protect the Association’s health and pension plans, support industry diversity and achieve greater transparency from employer.
In December, Hollywood Reporter reported that the Association had begun informal negotiations with employers before scheduling formal bargaining sessions, a move that upset the Writers Guild. Avnet is serving as chair on the Association’s 2023 Feature Film and Television Negotiation Committee, with Todd Holland and Karen Gaviola as co-chairs. Hollander, who has been with the union for more than 20 years, will once again oversee the negotiations as chief negotiator.
