NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Directors Guild of America today announced that the DGA's Network Negotiating Committee has reached a tentative new three-year agreement with ABC, CBS and NBC. The tentative agreement incorporates annual wage increases and other negotiated benefits for directors and their teams and provides a framework for ongoing dialogue during the term of the agreement.
The agreement covers Guild staff and freelance members employed in news, sports and operations at the companies' television networks and at a number of their owned and operated television stations. The DGA's Network Negotiating Committee was headed by Chair William M. Brady, Vice Chair Scott Berger and DGA Eastern Executive Director Russell Hollander. The negotiations, which began last week on Tuesday, November 13, concluded after four days early Saturday morning, November 17.
"I am proud to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with the networks on behalf of our members who work in news, sports and operations," said Michael Apted, President of the Directors Guild of America. "Directing news and sports isn't for the faint of heart. Our members bring valuable skills, technical knowledge and the ability to expect the unexpected to their work each day to deliver the world's news and events."
"We were able to obtain notable wage increases on behalf of our members for the next three years," according to Network Staff Negotiations Committee Chair William M. Brady. "It was the Guild's leadership position in the industry, combined with the committee's careful and acute attention to change in our field, and the Networks' recognition of the quality of the DGA member, that allowed us to work together to build a strong, yet flexible and mature contract."
Russell Hollander, the DGA's Eastern Executive Director added, "This agreement also reflects the importance of the entire directing team in creating quality news and sports programming by including provisions to address ongoing concerns facing our associate directors and stage managers. It was important for both the Guild and the Networks to create opportunities for dialogue during the term of the contract to allow for flexibility and change -- which is the hallmark of live news and sports."
The agreements will be submitted to the National Board of Directors of the DGA for approval at their board meeting in January and then will be sent to members for ratification. The new agreement, if ratified, will be effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.