After a riveting conversation with Melissa Purcell about becoming a Union Signatory, a crucial takeaway emerged for me: Should marketers and ad agencies insist on production companies providing health and welfare benefits to crews in order to be awarded the job?
Curious about becoming a union signatory? This podcast episode of "Crossing the Axis" is a must-listen.
Melissa delves into topics like the difference between street rates and scale rates. Often, production houses are already paying more than the union's base rate. Furthermore, many aren't aware of available low-budget agreements.
Essentially, by making the next step to providing health and welfare benefits, you’re well on your way to meeting the agreement, which will attract top talent, lead to superior screen products, and ultimately benefit clients.
For apprehensive production company owners, this isn't about pressuring you into unionization. It's about understanding your options. Melissa encourages open dialogue and offers insights into agreement nuances.
Contrary to fears, conversing doesn't make you a target; it shows your commitment to the industry's growth as an honest broker.
A notable mention are third-party services like CMS Productions, that allow you to hire union crews for commercial productions, without complete conversion. They're an excellent way to explore options gradually.
However, it boils down to finances.
If unionization diminishes your margins below 20%, it's a tough decision, even if you have close relationships to your team.
That is why I think the push (and budget) for unionization should come from brands and agencies, reinforcing investment in quality, which is imperative in an era of diminishing returns on smaller screens.
Besides, as Melissa Purcell so eloquently says, “paying health and welfare for workers is the socially responsible way to conduct business.”
If you’re considering this transition and want to talk to a peer, connect with Sam Kelly at INVISIBLE COLLECTIVE for insights, since they have recently made the leap.
In the current ongoing nationwide labor conversation, the emphasis is on symbiotic growth. Both companies and workers should mutually benefit. This podcast episode provides invaluable insights into how this pertains to film production.
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