The Directors Guild of America is wasting no time in preparing for the 2023 cycle of contract negotiations, naming the co-chairs of the negotiating committee as the industry awaits resolution of tense talks between the major studios and IATSE.
The DGA on Friday appointed union veterans Jon Avnet, Karen Gaviola and Todd Holland as heads of the committee. The DGA’s current contract expires on June 30, 2023. The appointments are the first major public move by newly elected DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter.
“We don’t yet know when our next negotiations will take place, but we are looking ahead as we carefully examine the creative and economic issues faced by our members working in film and television,” said Glatter. “Jon and Todd did such a tremendous job co-chairing in our last round – and as a veteran of many past negotiating committees, Karen is just the right person to round out this stellar team. We are so fortunate to have the benefit of their wisdom and many years of experience to spearhead this process.”
The full negotiating committee will be appointed later this year.
The DGA’s Friday afternoon news came as industry insiders are anxiously awaiting news on the next moves in IATSE’s contract negotiations. About 60,000 key crew members from 13 West Coast locals could be involved in a work stoppage soon if the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers can’t come to terms on a deal. IATSE on Friday began conducting a strike authorization vote among eligible members, a sign of how far apart the sides are.
The union and IATSE have been been away from the negotiating table since mid-September. IATSE said results of the strike authorization vote will be released Monday at 11 a.m. PT. It’s expected that IATSE and AMPTP would make one last effort at negotiations following the authorization vote.
(Pictured: Jon Avnet, Karen Gaviola and Todd Holland)