Guild of Directors ratifies AMPTP agreement, officially calls off strike
The Directors Guild of America formally ratified the new collective bargaining agreement its leaders signed with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on June 4. The deal, approved with the support of 87 percent of DGA members, officially guarantees that the will not join Hollywood writers in this summer’s strike.
The three-year deal included a 76% increase in foreign streaming residuals for projects produced for the largest studios and streaming platforms. Other highlights included the rise of parental leave benefits and language stating that AI “is not a person” and cannot replace directors in film and television projects.
“I am proud to announce that DGA members have come together to ratify a new contract that will allow every director, assistant director, unit production manager, associate director and stage manager to share in the success of what we create,” guild president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. “Our new contract secures salary earnings, global streaming residuals, safety, diversity and creative rights that build for the future and impact every category of our Guild member. The strength of our new contract is a testament to our Negotiating Committee Chair Jon Avnet, Negotiating Co-Chairs Karen Gaviola and Todd Holland, National Executive Director Russell Hollander, and our outstanding professional staff.
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While some industry observers initially saw the deal as a blow to solidarity with the striking writers — and the actors who may soon join them if SAG-AFTRA is unable to reach its own agreement — Glatter clarified that the DGA still stands by the striking creative colleagues.
“I also want to acknowledge that the DGA did not negotiate in a vacuum. We are united with writers, actors and all crew members in our shared struggle to move our industry forward,” he said.. “We support the actors who are in talks and the writers who remain on strike, and we will stand by the IA and the Teamsters when they negotiate their deal next year. We won’t be satisfied until we all have fair contracts that reward us for our creative work – we need to create a vibrant, sustainable industry that values us all fairly.”