East Coast costume designers and art directors ratify new contract

Costume designers and art directors who work on such shows as HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” have a new three-year contract.

The new contract, which includes 2% annual wage increases and higher contributions to the union health plan, was unanimously ratified by members of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, which is part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

The contract will run through September 30, 2015 and applies to scenic artists and designers, art directors, costume designers, art department coordinators and their assistants working in feature film and television production in the city of New York, Nassau County and the Meadowlands area of New Jersey.

“The members of the local are happy with the new agreement as, in addition to wage increases, it includes increased health benefit contributions, which were our priority going into the negotiation,” said union business agent Cecilia Friederichs.

On behalf of the major studios, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said the agreement is “good news for the New York region because it will maintain industry stability at a time when production is booming and employment is near an all-time high.”

The contract is modeled on the so-called Hollywood Basic Agreement that IATSE negotiated in April on behalf of camera operators, grips and other below-the-line crew members in Hollywood.

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