Negotiations between the AICP/Midwest and IATSE Local 476 went smoothly and quickly, to deliver a new four-year contract that continues to demonstrate their mutual goal of delivering the best, most professional work in commercial production.
The new four-year contract is in effect from Feb. 1, 2016 until 2020.
Negotiators were producers Mark Androw, president of AICP/Midwest and freelance line producer Marsie Wallach and Local 476 president Brad Matthys and business manager Mark Hogan.
“Local 476, with the best crews in the city, the most experienced, best trained and professional people, is a great partner with production,” notes Androw, president of STORY and a former national AICP president.
“They get the big picture, how important flexibility is and how our ability to bring more work helps their membership grow.”
Highlights of the new contract include:
· A 2% increase in scale wages the first year of the new contract; years two, three and four will follow the increased negotiated in the National AICP contract;
· Zero percent increase in pension contributions and in health contributions for first year; then increases in years two and four;
· A $2 a day increase in annuity contributions for each year of the agreement.
· New: Contributions on the union side to an Education and Legal Fund that is deducted from wages at no cost to producers. Coverage of the new categories of First Aid, Dimmer Operator and Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker.
Additionally: Martin Luther King Day was added as a holiday while Good Friday was eliminated. Clarified: Travel time after 6 p.m. is a half-day rate.
“Overall,” says Androw, “I feel we received a very fair deal that will allow us to be very competitive in the market.”
On the union side, says Hogan, “We are very happy with the agreements we made and look forward to another great year of commercial production.”
Production of advertising pieces boomed in 2014, when expenditures among AICP Chicago members alone were tallied at $143 million.
According to the Illinois Film Office, 200 commercials had been filmed throughout the state in 2015. No expenditures were included in the report.
The new agreement was made exclusively between the AICP/Midwest, on behalf of its 22 general and 11 associate members, and Local 476 to reflect specific market needs. The Midwest chapter now joins New York, Detroit and San Francisco as the only AICP chapters with local union agreements.
Non-member production companies work with the National AICP contract.
