The DGA membership has ratified a one-year extension of the National Commercial Agreement (NCA) between the Guild and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP). The NCA is designed to safeguard the creative and economic rights of directors and their teams in the advertising industry. The extension, which became effective November 1, 2004 will expire at midnight on October 31, 2005.
The NCA extension secures improved rates of pay and an increase in the employer contribution to the DGA-Producer Health Plan. DGA members working in this category will receive a three percent (3%) increase across the board in all minimum daily and weekly salaries (see rate chart in sidebar.) Additionally, employer contributions to the DGA-Producer Health Plan were increased by one half a percentage point to 7.5 of the base salary. The contribution to the DGA Assistant Directors Training Program shall remain at the present rate of .25 percent for the duration of this extension and the term of the next agreement. These new rates also apply to the Industrial Supplement to the NCA of 2001. (see sidebar.)
The NCA extension provided the DGA with the strategic advantage of not having to negotiate both the Commercial Contracts and the DGA Basic Agreement at the same time. By giving the Guild ample time to concentrate on negotiating a new Basic Agreement, the template was set for a new, more advantageous NCA. DGA Members will soon be receiving a letter inquiring about what areas of the NCA that need improvement and soliciting ideas for new NCA contract proposals. DGA members interested in this are also urged to participate in the commercial committees of their respective councils.
