Hunters Friday, 8 May 2015 Crew pressure improves offer. Have your say! In early April, Universal Cable Productions and Matchbox Pictures approached your union, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), regarding working conditions on the cable television production Hunters to be shot in Melbourne from July. The producers, via consultant Catherine McDonnell, originally proposed working conditions similar to those on Unbroken. During crew consultations, MEAA members reported deep concerns about the reduction in industry standards and the health and safety of crew working under the conditions. MEAA members rejected the proposal outright – seeking the MEAA industry standard Motion Picture Production Agreement (MPPA) instead – and an urgent meeting was scheduled with Matchbox, executive producer Gale Ann Hurd, Film Victoria and a crew delegate to outline crew concerns. Further, last Friday the Equity National Performers Committee passed the following resolution in their national meeting in support of crew: “The Equity National Performers Committee supports our crew colleagues engaged on the production Hunters in their efforts to pursue an appropriate standard for the production agreement.” Yesterday, Matchbox responded with a new offer:       Shooting days: Any 5 consecutive days, Monday to Saturday (*no 25% loading for Saturday); Flat fee employees: Use MPPA definition for flat fee employees; Sixth day overtime: MPPA provision – time and a half for the first two hours, double time to 12 hours, then triple time; Seventh day overtime/Sunday work: MPPA provision - double time up to 12 hours then triple time; Public holidays: MPPA provision – Double time and a half with a minimum of 4 hours, triple time from 12 hours; Avalon as a report to location: For a maximum of 5 days only. What hasn’t been addressed? While this is a much improved offer, the following issues are yet to be addressed (we have preliminarily highlighted these with Matchbox as continuing concerns):      2 year Matchbox-UCP agreement: The proposed agreement would be locked in for two years as a template agreement future Matchbox and UCP productions, including any future seasons of Hunters. Night loadings: On set crew will not be entitled to any loadings for night shoots – we have sought information regarding the estimated number of night shoots and whether they would be restricted to location shoots only; Turnaround: 10 hours for consecutive days and 34 hours for one day off – new offer does not include a provision for extended two day (weekend) turnaround; Saturday loading: No 25% loading – Saturday to be treated as ordinary day; Daily overtime in excess of 10 hours: Time and a half until 12 hours, double time from the 13th hour and triple time from the 14th hour. We need members’ feedback on the proposal – have your say! Contact: Chloe Gaul / [email protected] / 0412 677 167. Know your Rights. Enforce Your Entitlements. Join your Union. www.alliance.org.au/join.htm Authorised by Mal Tulloch, Director Entertainment Crew and Sport Web: http://www.alliance.org.au | Email: [email protected] | Phone: Alliance Inquiry Desk: 1300 656 512