The Directors Guild of Canada, BC District Council (DGC BC) has shared details of a tentative agreement it’s recommending to members that includes a nearly 16% wage increase for Location Managers and a meal penalty, among other improvements.

The tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Canadian Media Producers Association-BC (CMPA) comes following 15 months of bargaining which saw the DGC BC issue strike notice for the first time in the union’s history.

Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 3% each year, retroactive to July 11, 2021
• Minimum wage differentials to ensure that, as minimum wage increases, the wage rates for positions just above minimum wage continue to increase as well
• Wage increase for Location Managers resulting in a 15.8% wage increase over the term of the agreement
• Meal Penalty – which incentivizes producers to provide DGC BC employees with meals in a timely manner and a monetary penalty if they fail to do so
• Mandatory accommodation or transportation to be provided upon request at the employer’s expense for DGC BC crew who work 14 hours or more and are too tired to drive home
• COVID LOU – full retroactivity on COVID testing stipend payment terms
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognized as a statutory holiday, to provide an opportunity to engage in the important work of Reconciliation

The DGC BC Collective Agreement covers thousands of film and television workers, including the categories of Director, 2nd Unit Director, Production & Unit Manager, and those employed in various Assistant Director and Locations Departments.

“I’m so proud of the solidarity shown by our members through these long and challenging negotiations,” said Allan Harmon, District Council Chairman, DGC BC, in a release. “The membership’s resolve drove significant gains, especially for the lowest paid and entry level workers.”

“This agreement will help the entire industry here in BC,” added Kendrie Upton, Executive Director, DGC BC. “As a union, the number one tool we have to build and diversify the industry’s workforce is a strong, fair collective agreement. These gains will help us attract and retain a quality workforce for years to come.”

DGC BC will be holding member update meetings this week in advance of five days of voting which will begin on Sunday, June 19.

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