The post-production crew at NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” have ratified their first-ever union contract, avoiding a strike deadline set for April 1st. The deal will provide immediate pay increases for all members of the crew and goes into effect until the summer of 2026. The vote was unanimous during a Wednesday night meeting of the crew and Editors Guild representatives.
Under the new agreement, workers will receive pay hikes of up to 60%, as well as initial ratification bonuses, ranging from 7.5% to 33.5%. Every member of the crew will receive an increase in pay effective upon the show’s return from hiatus next week. Healthcare benefits will also be provided for all crew members, along with provisions for meals, hotel stays, and car services given the unconventional working hours of the long-running NBC sketch series. Additionally, a joint commitment was made to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on the crew.
The crew, made up of 12-20 members, had previously organized with the Motion Picture Editors Guild and is part of IATSE Local 700. They had announced plans to negotiate a contract in October. Unlike most of their colleagues on the show, who already had union contracts, these workers who helped create the show’s music-video parodies and other pre-taped segments had been unrepresented and were paid rates far below industry standards. Cathy Repola, National Executive Director of the Editors Guild, praised the crew for their solidarity and bravery and said that the new agreement would benefit all those who follow in their footsteps at the TV comedy institution.
Source: Variety
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