This document is a non-legal interpretation of the IATSE Area Standards Agreement and may include errors, omissions, or misinterpretations. It is for quick reference only. If you have any questions about your rights or this contract, contact Jim Roberts at (305) 625-8588; jimroberts@iatse477.org

Researched, written, and designed by Greg Chamberlain. Comments or suggestions for updates may be directed to: ia477@gregchamberlain.xyz
 

SCOPE & APPLICATION (Article 2)

Minimum Conditions (Sec D)

• Contract wages/conditions = minimums only.
• You can negotiate better conditions.
• If you already have better conditions → they can’t be reduced because of this contract.

MINIMUM CONDITIONS (Article 3)

Work Day (Sec B)

• 1x pay: First 8 hrs/day (Mon–Fri)
• Training only: 4 hr min call | >4 hrs = 8 hr pay
• Cross midnight: Credited to start day
  • • If working into or out of holiday = 2x pay for all holiday hrs
• Call times must be issued within 1 hr of crew wrap (reasonable delays permitted)

Work Week (Sec C)

• Workweek: 5 or 6 days out of 7
• 6th day doesn’t have to be consecutive (if 5-day week is standard)
• Workweek change allowed: 2x per production (TV: 2x per hiatus)
  • A shift requires a 32 hr rest minimum
  • Main & 2nd unit can shift separately

OT & Premium Pay (Sec D)

• 1x pay: First 8 hrs/day for daily hires or 40 hrs/week for weekly hires
• 1.5x: >8 hrs/day, 1st 12 hrs on 6th day
• 2x: >12 hrs/day, all hrs on 7th day/holiday
• 3x: >15 hrs elapsed (Movies/TV)

Applies to all hires (Local/Nearby/Distant)

OT counted in 1/10 hr increments

No stacking rates → Highest rate applies

14-Day Rule

• Work 14 straight days → must get 1 day off
    Work 15th day = extra 1x pay for all hrs until 32 hr restRest Periods (Sec F)
• Daily Rest
  • Local/Nearby: 10 hrs | Distant: 9 hrs
    • If a Distant Hire works 14+ hrs for 2 straight days → 10 hrs rest applies after the 2nd day
• Weekend Rest
  • 5-day week: 54 hrs (can reduce to 50 hrs for short day/weather/night)
    • Limits: 1x for short film | 1x per 6 wks for TV | 2x for features
  • 6-day week: 32 hrs
  • 6th day on 7th: 32 hrs from 5th day wrap
• Rest Invasion
  • 2x pay for all invaded hrs
    • ≤30 min = ½ hr @ 2x | >30 min = 2x pay in 1/10 hr increments

Production Centers (Sec G)

• Anyone hired to work inside a production center = Local Hire (no allowance/hotel), even if not a resident within the zone.
  • Florida’s Production Centers are: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando
    • TV Pilot or 1st Season: 30-mile zone set around its production office
• Nearby pay does NOT apply inside production centers—it’s only valid when productions are based outside these zones.

Hire Types (Sec H) - [MOA Update]

Local: within 60 mi

Nearby: outside 60 mi, but inside Union zone

Distant: outside Union zone

• Nearby Allowance
  • Weekly Living Allowance:
    • $707/week (Aug 2024)
    • $777/week (Aug 2025)
    • $847/week (Aug 2026)
  • Daily Prorated Rate:
    • $101/day (Aug 2024)
    • $111/day (Aug 2025)
    • $121/day (Aug 2026)
  • Alternative Option: → Nearby Hire may request single occupancy hotel instead of weekly allowance
• Distant
  • Hotel provided
  • Can be replaced by local with 2 week notice or payout

Per Diem (Sec I) - [MOA Update]

• Effective Aug 4 2024: $70/day → Breakfast $14 | Lunch $21 | Dinner $35
• Effective Aug 2 2026: $75/day → Breakfast $16 | Lunch $22 | Dinner $37
• Employer provides a meal → per diem reduced by that meal’s value (not paid for that meal)

Idle Pay (Sec K)

• Distant Hires: 4 hrs pay + benefits for each idle day (max 2 paid idle days/week)

• Nearby Hires (6-day week): No pay on 7th idle day, but employer must still pay benefits for that day

Higher Classification (Sec L)

• Work 2+ hrs in higher classification → get higher rate for full day.

Courtesy Housing/Transport (Sec M)

• Work 14+ hrs → Employer must offer hotel OR round-trip transport
  • Ride shares reimbursed w/ receipt
  • Call sheet must list contact for housing/transport coordination
  • Employer provides secured parking if car is left at location
• Hotel must be available for full rest period or until next call time
• Use of courtesy housing does not trigger Distant Hire status

Bereavement Leave (Sec O) - [MOA Addition]

• Up to 3 days paid leave for death of family member
• Pay Rate
  • Hourly/Daily: 8 hrs @ 1x per day
  • Weekly/On Call: 1/5 of weekly rate per day
• Job Protection
  • • Reinstated if position still exists
    • Episodic: after current episode wraps
• Family Member Includes
  • Child, Parent, Spouse/Partner, Grandparent, Grandchild, Sibling

MEALS (Article 4)

Meal Periods (Sec A)

• 30–60 min meals
• 1 meal deducted during min call
• 2nd meal deducted only if working past min call
  • Post-2nd meal = 1.5 hr min call (unless employer buys meal)
• Meals or allowance provided
• “Off production” crew on site = must get same meal/allowance
• No meal/allowance if suitable facility nearby
  • Gas station, single menu, no seating = NOT suitable
• Per diem = satisfies meal allowance

Meal Timing (Sec B)

• 1st Meal: within 6 hrs of call | no earlier than 2 hrs after report
• Early call w/ breakfast:
  • Up to 2 hrs early + hot meal = same meal time as crew
• Next Meals: within 6 hrs of last meal

Meal Extensions (Sec C)

• Wrap camera setup: delay meal 12 min w/o penalty
• Wrap delay: finish and leave within 30 min = no penalty
  • If the crew isn’t wrapped within the 30-minute grace period, meal penalties apply starting from the 6-hour mark after the last meal ended.

Meal Penalties (Sec D)

• General (all productions except TV shows filmed inside a studio-controlled environment)
  • 1st ½ hr delay = $7.50
  • 2nd = $10.00
  • 3rd–4th = $12.50
  • 5th+ = $25.00 per 30 min
• TV Studio
  • 1st ½ hr = $8.50
  • 2nd = $11.00
  • 3rd–4th = $13.50
  • 5th+  $25.00 per 30 min

20+ penalties/wk = 1 hr pay per ½ hr delay

French Hours (Sec E)

• No meal breaks — hot food available all day
• Crew must approve (can’t be forced)
• On-production crew only
• No meal penalties if food is provided and crew is allowed time to eat
  • (If you skip eating, no penalty applies)
• On-production crew only

HOLIDAYS (Article 7) - [MOA Update]

• Recognized Holidays
  • New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
• Weekend Rules
  • Holiday on Sunday → Monday observed
  • Holiday on Saturday → Friday observed
    • EXCEPTION: 6-day wk = Saturday holiday stays Saturday
  • Holiday pay applies to the observed day
• Holiday Pay
  • Not Working on the Holiday:
    • 8 hrs pay at regular rate (like PTO)
      • Must work a scheduled day before and after
        • No holiday “PTO" pay if you’re coming off a hiatus or working:
          • Long-form TV
          • Pilots
          • 1st season of any 1-hour series
  • Working on the Holiday:
    • 2x pay for all hours worked

TRAVEL (Article 8)

Production Zone (Sec A)

• 30-mile radius from production office = “local zone”

Nearby Location, Travel Time (Sec B, D)

If work takes place outside the Local Zone:

• Employer pays travel time at straight time (1x) from the edge of the zone to the location/set.
• If you use your own vehicle, you’re also paid IRS mileage rate from the edge of the zone to location.
• If employer provides transportation (van, bus, etc.) → no mileage pay.
• If employer houses crew, they must provide transportation to set.

Mileage Allowance (Sec C)

• IRS rate per mile from edge of zone to location
• Applies if you use personal vehicle with no provided transport
• Employer may offer a car allowance instead (as allowed by law)

Local & Nearby Hires (Sec E)

• Paid set-to-set
• Use personal car for multiple locations → paid IRS mileage rate
• If employer provides transport (even if unused) → no mileage pay

Distant Hires (Sec F)

• Paid portal-to-portal (hotel → set → hotel)

Travel-Only Day (Sec G)

• Distant Hire:
  • 4 hrs pay @ 1x or actual travel time (whichever is more), max 8 hrs
• Nearby Hire:
  • 2 hrs pay @ 1x or actual travel time (whichever is more), max 8 hrs
• Applies at start/end of employment or hiatus

Travel + Work or Work + Travel (Sec H)

• Travel is always paid at straight time (1x) — but when it happens affects whether it counts toward OT triggers.
• Travel During Your Call (e.g., Company Move)
  • Counts toward OT triggers (12/14 hrs)
  • Still paid 1x
• Travel Before/After Your Call
  • Paid at 1x, but does NOT count toward OT
  • Travel before call = starts your day, but OT clock starts at Call Time.
  • Travel after wrap = ends day, paid 1x, no OT added.
• “Leave Time” as Call Time
  • If Leave Time = Call Time, travel is on the clock
  • Counts toward OT triggers
• Travel between 6pm–6am with sleep quarters/accommodations → NOT paid or counted at all.

PAYMENT OF WAGES (Article 9)

Payday

• Wages must be paid by the Friday after the production workweek ends

Paper Checks [MOA Addition]

• Available upon request at hire
• Sent to production office or employee’s address by express mail
• Unclaimed at office for 1 week → mailed to employee

Start Paperwork [MOA Addition]

• Must be provided by end of first day
• Hard copy available upon request
• Employer must assist w/ completing forms if needed

SAFETY & SPECIALIZED WORK - (Article 10)

Right to Refuse Dangerous Work (Sec A)

• Employees can refuse dangerous work without punishment.
• Can report danger to 1st AD / UPM / supervisor
• Protected from retaliation if reporting in good faith

Specialized Work Pay (Sec B) - [MOA Update]

• Negotiate pay before doing hazardous/specialized work.
  • Dispute over pay? Set rate before work starts.
  • No agreement = employee can refuse without penalty.
• Same hazard = same bonus.
  • If another employee gets hazard pay for the same risk, you get the same bonus.
• Waiver Refusal:
  • If an employee refuses to sign a location/agency waiver, they can be replaced, but not blacklisted.

Safety Compliance (Sec C)

• Employer must follow industry standards + laws
• Call sheet lists safety contact + hotline

Underwater/Aerial (Sec D)

• Each flight/dive = $60 (max $180/day)
• Underwater for most/all of your shift = 25% bonus on total pay
  • Does not apply if underwater work is less than 1 hour total
• Diving 15+ ft = $60 per dive (max $180/day)
  • Replaces 25% bonus above
• Diving 20+ ft = Must have a second diver for safety

Underwater Work (Sec E)

• Dressing room required
• Hot food/drinks if water/weather is cold
• 10 min break/hour (cannot go for more than 2 consecutive hours without break)
• Work in pairs if safety requires

Water Work (Sec F)

• Water 3+ ft deep for 4+ hrs → 15% bonus
• Employer provides cold/wet weather gear

Firearm Safety (Sec G) - [MOA Addition]

• Firearms = props handled by Property Master or licensed tech
• Must follow Safety Bulletins:
  • #1 – Use of firearms, blanks, dummies
  • #2 – No live ammo

Aerial Lift Pay (Sec H) - [MOA Addition]

• Grip in lift 65+ ft for 4+ hrs → +$3/hr full shift
• Any on-production crew in lift 35+ ft for 4+ hrs → +$1/hr full shift

Extreme Weather Safety Plan (Sec I) - [MOA Addition]

• Employer monitors extreme heat/cold
• Must create safety plan for on/off production crew
• Must follow Safety Bulletins:
  • #34 – Extreme Cold
  • #34A – Wind Chill
  • #35 – Heat Illness
• Plan must be shared with crew

CANCELLATION OF CALLS (Article 11)

Standard Call Cancellation (Sec A)

• Not canceled by 6:00 p.m. prior day → 8 hr pay

“Weather-Permitting” Call (Sec B)

Employer can issue call for:
 • Snow, sleet, ice, hurricanes
 • Extreme heat/cold, wind, fire hazard or smoke (NWS alert required)

• To crew on payroll: Before wrap
• To non-payroll hires: Up to 12 hrs before call time
• Employer can cancel: Up to 4 hrs before call time
• Must notify Union (missed notice = no grievance)

If Call Canceled (“Weather-Permitting”):

• Daily
   • Notified = 4 hrs pay + ? benefits
   • Late notice = 8 hrs pay
• On-Call (weekly rate)
   • Notified = ½ of ? weekly rate + ? benefits
   • Late/still worked = full day pay

Inclement Weather Cancellation (Sec C)

• Same weather as above
• Cancel by 8:00 p.m. night before
• First day of week → warn before weekend + cancel by 8:00 p.m. prior night

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (Article 15)

Filing a Grievance (Sec A)

1. Start with:
   • Local Rep ↔ UPM/Producer Rep

1. If unresolved:

1. • IATSE Intl Rep ↔ Employer Labor Rep

1. Still unresolved:

1. • Arbitration (AAA or FMCS)
   • Arbitrator = final + binding decision
   • Can’t modify contract or rule on jurisdiction

Arbitration Location + Costs (Sec B)

• Closest major city or agreed location
• Each pays own costs
• Arbitrator fee = split 50/50

Time Limits (Sec C)

• Grievance must be written + filed within:
  • 30 days of issue OR when you knew
  • No later than 45 days after wrap at location
  • (Episodic: Each episode = new production)
• Health/Retirement issues: 90 days after contributions due
• Miss deadline = claim waived

SICK LEAVE (Article 23)

Accrual Options (Sec A(1)) - [MOA Update]

• Hourly Accrual: 1 hr per 30 hrs worked
  • Max: 80 hrs (10 days)
• Banked Option:
  • 40 hrs (5 days) per year
  • (No carry over if banked option used)

Eligibility (Sec A(2))

• Must work 30 days for Employer
• Use after 45 days worked
• Use in 4 hr min chunks
• Notice: Advance if foreseeable, ASAP if not

Carryover + Usage Cap (Sec A(2))

• Hourly method = carries over
• Max use per year: 40 hrs (5 days)

Pay Rate (Sec A(3))

• Hourly/Daily:
  • 8 hrs sick = 8 hrs pay @ 1x
  • 4 hrs sick = 4 hrs pay
• Weekly:
  • 1 day = 1/5 weekly rate
  • 4 hrs = ½ of 1/5 weekly rate
• No need to find replacement

Approved Uses (Sec A(4))

• Your or family’s health (care, treatment, prevention)
• If you are a victim of any of domestic violence, assault, stalking

Separation + Rehire (Sec A(5))

• Unused sick leave not paid at termination
• Rehired within 1 yr → sick leave reinstated

Start Paperwork (Sec A(6))

• Must include:
  • Sick leave contact
  • Accrual method (calendar year or hire date basis)

Employer Policies (Sec A(7))

• Old policies (as of 2015/2022) valid if equal/better
• No retaliation for using sick leave

Disputes (Sec A(8))

• Resolved through grievance + arbitration

IATSE Local 477 ASA Cheat Sheet.pdf

IATSE Local 477 ASA QR Code Quick Reference.pdf