May 6, 2022

The parties will continue to monitor Covid-19 developments; Safety triggers in place to protect industry workers

Los Angeles – With the continued commitment to ensure the safety of cast, crew and all workers on set in light of the changing impact of Covid-19, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the International Alliance of theatrical stage workers (IATSE), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and Hollywood Basic Crafts, (Teamsters Local 399, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, OPCMIA Local 755 and UA Local 78) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), have announced that they have a revised agreement with the AMPTP amending the current Covid-19 security agreement. The new agreement creates a more flexible set of protocols for areas of the United States and Canada with low COVID hospital admissions, while retaining the basics to keep the sets safe.

The changes only apply to areas that have confirmed low Covid hospital admissions, largely leaving the requirements in place for areas experiencing increased admission rates. These new workplace practices apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated cast and crew.

Testing protocols are as follows: Pre-employment testing is still required for all crew, but with changes to the types of testing allowed. Testing will still be required on a rolling weekly basis during production for Zones A and B, but at a reduced frequency. Zones C and D do not require testing beyond pre-employment.

Masking will not be necessary in most contexts, with the specific exception of shuttles.

Additional changes include meal service flexibility and transportation rules.

The following terms of the current agreement remain in effect:

Vaccination: The new agreement continues to allow employers to require Zone A employees to be “up to date” on their vaccinations, including a booster.

Covid Compliance Supervisor: Hiring of a dedicated COVID-19 Compliance Supervisor responsible for security compliance and enforcement, who will be accessible to cast and crew at all times during working hours.

Quarantine pay and sick leave: All employees will continue to receive 10 days of paid COVID-19 sick leave, and the leave can be used for any of the eligible COVID-19 events (e.g. testing positive, showing symptoms, isolation or self-quarantine, or when a member of their household tests positive for COVID-19).

The agreement allows employers to impose stricter masking and testing requirements depending on production circumstances.

The agreement will remain in effect until July 15, 2022. The parties will continue to closely monitor Covid-19 developments and consider further modifications at that time.

First adopted in September 2020 after a months-long production shutdown, the Covid-19 safety agreement is the result of unprecedented coordination and solidarity between unions and collaboration with employers to develop scientific protocols that minimize the risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus in the industry’s unique work environments. Since then, the protocols have resulted in a successful rebound in film and television production while prioritizing the safety of cast, crew and all workers on set.

ABOUT THE DGA
In the more than 80 years since its founding in 1936, the DGA has fought for the economic and creative rights of its members; protected their ability to benefit financially from the reuse of their work; established strong pension and health systems; and established competence in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today, we represent over 19,000 directors and members of the production team working in film, television, advertising, new media and other audiovisual media.

IN REGARDS TO SAG–AFTRA
SAG–AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voice overs and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG–AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices across the country representing members working together to ensure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists in the 21st century and beyond. To visit SAG–AFTRA online at sagaftra.org

ABOUT IATSE
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a union representing more than 150,000 technicians, artisans and artisans in the entertainment industry, including live theater, film and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

ABOUT IBT MOTION PICTURE DIVISION:
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Film Division represents nearly 12,000 Teamsters in North America who work on feature film, television, commercial and theatrical productions produced in the United States, Canada and around the world.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD BASIC CRAFTS:
The Hollywood Basic Crafts is made up of approximately 7,500 members who are part of Teamsters Local 399, FIBE Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, OPCMIA Local 755 and UA Plumbers Local 78. Each Local represents the men and women working behind the scenes to ensure the success of feature film and television production. Hollywood’s grassroots craft unions represent a wide variety of classifications within the motion picture industry such as: Drivers, Location Professionals, Casting Directors and Associates, Animal Trainers, Wranglers, Mechanics, Dispatchers , kitchen helpers, electricians, HVACR technicians, sound installers, generator operators, portable air conditioning technicians, laborers, plasterers, sculptors, plumbers and more. Base trades unions work together to fight on behalf of their members for strong wages, safe working conditions and great benefits.