PUBLICATIONS

The new agreement includes a 2% increase across the board to the minimum script fee – the upfront fee paid to a writer on delivery of the script – in each of the two years of the agreement.

At the WGC’s request, the parties had a significant and engaging discussion about current fees and conditions for screenwriters working in animation. A working group of producers and screenwriters was established to meet regularly over the next two years to continue the dialogue.

All parties to the deal – the WGC, CFTPA and APFTQ – are pleased with the new agreement. The three industry groups arrived at the bargaining table with a short list of issues, recognizing the current instability and uncertainty in the industry, and seeking a workable deal. The next year will see all three associations involved in a significant reshaping of the production and regulatory landscape, with a new Canada Media Fund coming into play, CRTC hearings on TV policy, feefor-carriage and station-group licence renewals, terms of trade negotiations and more.

"The CFTPA believes this deal is a fair one and will bring added stability to the production sector as we enter a period of unprecedented transition," says John Barrack, National Executive Vice-President and Counsel, CFTPA.

Julie Patry, Director of Industrial Relations, APFTQ, said “we are happy that we could reach a deal so rapidly and we believe that it will contribute to maintain the good industrial climate all parties are looking for.”

Rebecca Schechter, President, WGC, said that, “in this economic climate, a script fee increase is good news for screenwriters, and these increases will be especially beneficial for writers working in development. We tailored these negotiations to the times, and all parties set aside larger issues in the interests of a unified creative community. The shorter contract term reflects our optimism that conditions will improve when the regulatory upheaval subsides.”

The deal was ratified by the CFTPA board and the board and general assembly of the APFTQ on October 23, 2009, and will be presented to WGC members for ratification.

The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media products in all regions of Canada. More specifically, it promotes the general interests of its members provincially, federally, and internationally; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; administers copyright collectives; trains new industry entrants through a number of national internship programs; and undertakes a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.

The Quebec Film and TV Producers Association (APFTQ) brings together more than 130 independent companies of cinema and television production, working in drama, documentary, variety, animation and advertising film. The APFTQ represents its members in lobbying governments on policy issues and in negotiating labour agreements with artists and technicians unions.

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) represents 2,000 professional screenwriters working in English across Canada. These are the talented people who create the distinctly Canadian entertainment we enjoy on our televisions, movie screens, radios and computers.

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