US Productions: Negotiating for More Jobs for More People
Publié le July 11, 2025
.png)
Hello everyone,
Let's clarify things regarding the 3.5% increase negotiated in July 2024 with CBS for Season 5 of "Ghosts."
WHY ANNUAL NEGOTIATIONS?
For TV studios, knowing labor costs in advance is crucial. In Quebec, unlike other provinces, our agreements are renegotiated every year. The annual increase percentage is therefore based on market rates through the study of IATSE salaries in North America, all to maintain our competitiveness. It's by negotiating that we attract and keep projects like "DMV" and others that are currently being discussed for 2026.
WHY 3.5% FOR "GHOSTS" AND 4% FOR OTHERS?
-
July 2024 ("Ghosts"): Increases across Canada ranged between 3% and 4%. To help CBS, a loyal studio, get the green light for "Ghosts" Season 5 in 2025, we agreed to 3.5%. The idea was to offer them the predictability they needed to stay with us.
-
January 2025 (Other agreements): With more information on market increases, we proposed 4% (not 5%), as that was the prevailing trend.
THE IMPACT OF THIS 0.5% DIFFERENCE
This small difference has a huge impact:
-
In Money: For a member working full-time on the production at $40/hour, this represents between $160 to $250 in total, depending on overtime, over the entire duration of a 100-day shoot.
-
In Projects and Jobs:
-
A 105-day production means about $42,000 in additional income for a member. Multiply that by the number of members working on "Ghosts"—that's huge!
-
With "DMV" being added, that's another $42,000 for another member, creating work and opportunities.
-
Our goal, as an association of 6,000 members, is to attract more American productions and retain those already here. The fact that "Ghosts" is returning for two additional seasons, the addition of "DMV," and the possibility of a new series confirm that many members will have work for another year.
For me, it was well worth it.
As for the additional annual dues, which haven't been adjusted for 3 years, read this message for the real details.
Respectfully,
Pierre Daudelin
Vice-President, US Productions