The Directors Guild of Canada’s B.C. branch (DGC BC) has ratified a memorandum of understanding to amend its collective agreement with B.C. producers and U.S. studios and prodcos.

Roughly half (50.3%) of DGC members participated in the vote, with 90.9% in favour of the agreement with the Canadian Media Producers Association’s B.C. branch (CMPA-BC) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The voting period ended on Nov. 15.

The updated agreement will go into effect on April 6, 2025 and last into 2028. It includes three-year wage increases totalling more than 13%; increased contributions to pension plans; a new standard wage for production assistant helpers at $18.50 per hour; and established definitions on the use of generative artificial intelligence, with the ability to re-negotiate as it evolves.

DGC BC members represent a number of production roles, from director and second unit director to production manager, assistant director, location manager and production assistant. The branch has more than 1,800 members in good standing at press time.

The B.C. guild issued a strike notice in April 2022 over negotiations for the prior collective agreement. Though local labour laws prevented workers from striking on protected productions, the move created a sense of instability in the region for longer-term production planning. The collective agreement was ratified on June 24, 2022.

“A rising tide lifts all boats and this deal serves to do just that,” said DGC BC business agent Rob Larson in a statement. “This agreement sets the stage for stability in the industry here in B.C., and improves wages for our lowest-paid workers. I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved with our partners across the bargaining table.”

“With the successful completion of negotiations, our sector has an updated agreement that addresses the needs of all parties and allows producers and the talented directors and crew of the DGC BC to focus on creating world-class content for audiences at home and around the world,” said Jason Lee, CMPA-BC’s VP of B.C. industrial relations.

AMPTP president Carol Lombardini added: “From the first day of negotiations, we shared a strong commitment to collaborating on a deal that reflects the important contributions that members of the DGC BC directorial team make. We look forward to working with our other union partners in the province to reach agreements with them that position B.C. as a desirable destination with a stable labour environment for film and television producers.”

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