SAG-AFTRA's Top Negotiator Responds to Sony CEO's Comments [Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, ha
SAG-AFTRA’s Top Negotiator Responds to Sony CEO’s Comments
[Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, has responded to comments made by Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra that the length of last year’s Hollywood strikes and new contract terms have pushed production out of the United States.]
A Response to Vinciquerra’s Comments
It’s somewhat surprising that Tony Vinciquerra didn’t learn last year’s lesson about how wrong it is for multi-millionaire CEOs on lavish trips to criticize industry workers who want salaries that keep up with inflation.
Let’s be clear: this is a highly compensated CEO at a major studio saying that workers have too many contract protections and their wages are too high, and that he and others intend to exploit lower wages and lesser contract terms wherever in the world they can find them.
Threatening the offshoring of American jobs is a cynical attempt to manipulate workers while masking the industry’s own business failures. It is a false narrative that American workers have to choose between fair wages and contracts and losing their jobs. Our members won’t be fooled.
[Duncan Crabtree-Ireland]
Industry Trends and Quotes
- The CEO noted that international incentives have drawn shoots away from the United States to countries where costs are lower.
- The United Kingdom is aiming to bolster its world-class production credentials with the Independent Film Tax Credit for lower budget shoots, which the BFI is optimistic will be ratified by the new Labour government.
- Eastern Europe, Australia, parts of South America and, increasingly, regions across Asia offer competitive alternatives to the United States.
- Vinciquerra expressed concern over California, long the symbolic home of the film industry, and said while the state continues to attract shoots, high costs have reduced the number of big budget film productions.
- Many American cities and states with cheaper cost bases and aggressive incentives offer attractive alternatives to California and Los Angeles.
- A report by FilmLA issued last week said that in light of a 5% year-on-year summer season slump in the Greater Los Angeles area, the next three months will “make or break” the year for the metropolitan area in terms of production levels.
Key Statistics
- Last year’s SAG-AFTRA strike lasted 118 days and ran from July 14 to November 9 before the Guild agreed new terms.
- The Writers Guild of America work stoppage ran for 148 days, from May 2 to September 27.
Full Statement from Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
Compensation that keeps pace with the cost of living and fair contract terms should be the bare minimum for all workers. Our attention should be focused on the real source of challenges to the industry – including ill-advised corporate mergers, financial schemes, and excessive executive compensation packages.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of film industry organizations like SAG-AFTRA?
A: SAG-AFTRA is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of film and television industry workers, including actors, writers, and other professionals.
Q: What are some of the challenges facing the film industry?
A: Some of the challenges facing the industry include ill-advised corporate mergers, financial schemes, and excessive executive compensation packages.
Q: How can the film industry overcome these challenges?
A: By focusing on fair compensation for workers and addressing the root causes of the industry’s problems, rather than trying to manipulate workers and mask the industry’s own business failures.
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