Details of Musician Union's Network TV Deal Revealed (Exclusive)

2:36 PM PST 11/21/2012 by Jonathan Handel

5
33
2
0
0
Email
Print
Comments

The deal includes a 6 percent wage increase in the first year.

The American Federation of Musicians’ TV videotape agreement with ABC, CBS and NBC includes an unusually large 6 percent wage increase in the first year, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. That figure includes a 4 percent “market adjustment” to wages.

Musicians Union, Networks Reach TV Deal

'Ellen' Show Playing a Musicians Union Tune

Musicians Union Sues Fox, Universal Over 'Simpsons' Music (Exclusive)

•Labor

Other details of the deal that were not disclosed when the agreement was announced Tuesday include now-customary 2 percent increases in the second and third years, as well as the following:

• Health and welfare contributions rise from $16 to $22 daily in the first year, $24 in the second year and $25 in the third year, with no weekly cap on contributions.

• Pension contributions rise from 10 percent to 11 percent upon ratification.

Ratification is expected on or about Jan. 1, 2013, and the term of the agreement is three years.

In addition, the new agreement contains provisions that recognize the union’s jurisdiction in new media, and require residuals when programs originally broadcast on free television are later webcast and streamed online, or when programs are made for new media in the first place.

The agreement covers hundreds of musicians who perform in weekly variety shows like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars, as well as house bands and guest artists of late-night programs like The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The agreement does not cover music in scripted programming, such as primetime half-hours and dramas.

The AFM said Tuesday that its focus will now shift to negotiating a new agreement with the film industry. Negotiations began Nov. 2 for a successor Motion Picture-TV Film Agreement, which covers motion pictures and scripted television. The current agreement expires Feb. 23, 2013.

Bookmark The Hollywood Reporter’s Labor Page for the most in-depth coverage of entertainment unions and guilds.

Email: jhandel99 at gmail dot com

Twitter: @jhandel