Joint media release from The NZ Council of Trade Unions, Equity NZ and NZ Writers Guild
The announcement today by the Minister forWorkplace Relations and Safety Iain Lees-Galloway, to support collectivebargaining for those working in the film and screen industry, is welcomed.
“It is fantastic that the Government isadopting the model which was developed and unanimously agreed to by the FilmIndustry Working Group (FIWG). This Working Group has clearly demonstrated thatwhen an industry comes together to address issues how successful that processcan be,” CTU President Richard Wagstaff said.
Melissa Ansell-Bridges, Director, of Equity NewZealand, was a member of the FIWG and is confident that the changes proposedwill make a real difference, “It is hugely significant that workers in thescreen industry will now have access to the rights and benefits of collectivebargaining. It’s a hard life being an actor in New Zealand, ensuring thatactors have access to collective bargaining is simply about fairness at work.”
Alice Shearman, Executive Director of NewZealand Writers Guild, also a member of the FIWG is looking forward to the lawcoming into effect next year “2020 will be a good year for screenwritersin the screen industry. The ability to stabilise their economic and workingrights through collective agreements will be career enhancing and stimulateindustry growth. It has been a long time coming for screenwriters to benefitfrom enforceable terms and conditions in their contracts.”
