In order to protect members from violations, the Guild has developed a system for determining where and when a person is eligible to be employed as a “local hire” and when a person falls under the rules for “distant location.” These procedures allow members to obtain work in the most active production centers, while also providing local employment options for those who reside outside the production center areas. For more detailed information about the Guild’s contract and policies that relate to a member’s production center or local employment residence, see the Production Center/Local Employment FAQ link on the homepage of the DGA Members Only website, or call the DGA Membership Department at 310-289-2077.
The DGA has become aware of an increasing number of incidents in which production companies attempt to subvert the Guild agreements by offering distant location employment to members at local rates, without providing transportation, lodging and expenses. Unfortunately, our members also are occasionally at fault, trying to get an edge on a work opportunity by concealing their true residence so that they can be employed at lesser cost than other Guild members or by simply offering to work at below minimum.
The Guild has a policy of strict enforcement of the distant location provisions of its agreements and closely examines deal memos and other information sources, looking for situations where members working at a distant location are not receiving distant location rates and expense reimbursement. Where these situations are found, the Guild will initiate grievance proceedings against the production company, disciplinary proceedings against the member, or both, if necessary and appropriate.
What is important to remember is that employer payment of travel, lodging and expenses is a significant component of the contractual compensation that members receive, which was achieved only through hard-fought negotiations. Any attempt to subvert this provision whether by a production company, or by a member weakens the Guild’s ability to protect all members’ rights to fair compensation for these expenses. It is your obligation as a member to report to the DGA if you are being asked to waive any provisions of a DGA contract. Please contact the DGA Contracts Department in New York (212-258-0809) or Los Angeles (310-289-2010) if you have questions or if you want to report a violation.
