IATSE Local 161 2025 MOA Key Changes

A film director's chair and a clapperboard set beside a studio light, with the IATSE 161 logo above the chair.
General Overview

The IATSE Local 161 Majors and Supplemental Digital Agreements were ratified effective March 9, 2025, and cover a term spanning from March 3, 2025, through March 4, 2028. All terms and conditions are active beginning March 9, 2025, unless noted otherwise.


This summary is intended to support budgeting, retroactive payments, hiring practices, and benefit discussions for upcoming productions.


Job Titles

Beginning March 9, 2025, producers may choose to use the alternative titles “Production Coordinator” and “Assistant Production Coordinator” for the positions of Production Office Coordinator and Assistant Production Office Coordinator.


Wage Adjustments
Majors Agreement
  • March 9, 2025: 7% increase
  • March 8, 2026: 4% increase
  • March 7, 2027: 3.5% increase

Assistant Production Office Coordinator minimums (whichever is greater applies):

  • 3/9/2025: 7% or $28.50/hr
  • 3/8/2026: 4% or $30.00/hr
  • 3/7/2027: 3.5% or $31.50/hr
Supplemental Digital Agreement
  • 9/28/2025: 4% increase
  • 10/4/2026: 3.5% increase
  • 10/3/2027: Increase aligned with Script Supervisors in the IATSE Videotape Agreement


Language referencing “prior year” or “prior period” wage rates will now refer to a 3% reduction off the current applicable wage.


Benefit Contributions
Theatrical – Majors Agreement

NY/NJ/CT Contributors

  • Premium (Non-$15M contributors):
  • From 3/23/2025: $17.514/hr → $19.311/hr
    (subject to MPIPHP annual review)
  • Basic ($15M contributors):
  • 3/9/2025: $8.1275/hr → $9.5175/hr
  • 3/8/2026: $9.5175/hr → $9.9675/hr
  • 3/7/2027: $9.9675/hr → $10.4175/hr

Outside NY/NJ/CT/FL

  • 3/9/2025: $151/day → $175/day
  • 3/8/2026: $175/day → $190/day
  • 3/7/2027: $190/day → $205/day

Florida

  • 3/9/2025: $154/day → $175/day
  • 3/8/2026: $175/day → $190/day
  • 3/7/2027: $190/day → $205/day
Television

DE/MA/ME/NH/PA/RI/VT/DC

  • Same increases as above

FL/GA/MD/NC/SC/VA/WV

  • 3/9/2025: $141/day → $175/day
  • 3/8/2026: $175/day → $190/day
  • 3/7/2027: $190/day → $205/day


Supplemental Digital

Rates mirror the Television benefit schedule outlined above for each region.


Travel Days Contributions (Effective 3/9/2025)
  • Hourly: Benefits paid for hours traveled (min 4, max 8 hours)
  • Daily:
  • ≤ 6 hours traveled: ½ daily rate
6 hours traveled: full daily rate
Working Conditions & Other Provisions

Overtime (Majors Agreement Only)
For any project (motion picture, series, or mini-series) beginning principal photography after March 9, 2025:

  • Triple time applies after 15 elapsed hours.

Rest Period Violations (Effective June 8, 2025)
If previous day worked <14 elapsed hours:

  • <30-minute invasion: ½ hour of 2x pay
  • ≥30-minute invasion: all invaded time paid at 2x in 1/10 hour increments

Wrap Time Compensation
Script Supervisors, Production Office Coordinators, and Assistant Coordinators must be paid pro rata for any required wrap time.

Courtesy Housing or Transportation
Required when employee works more than 14 hours in a single day.

Mileage & Use of Personal Vehicle

  • Effective 3/9/2025, mileage rate tied to IRS standard (was previously $0.30/mi)
  • Reimbursement for employer-approved tolls, parking, and fees

Nearby Hire Living Allowance

  • 3/9/2025: $490/week
  • 3/1/2026: $560/week
  • 2/28/2027: $630/week

Per Diem for Distant Hires in Part IV States (FL/GA/MD/NC/SC/VA/WV)

  • 3/9/2025: $59.50/day
  • 3/8/2026: $70.00/day
  • 3/7/2027: $75.00/day

Box Rental
Employers must provide reasonable compensation for pre-approved employee-owned equipment or software (effective 3/9/2025).


Leaves & Time Off

Sick Time (Outside NY)
Effective 4/8/2025:

  • Max accrual increases: 48 → 80 hours
  • Banked hours:
  • Becomes available after 45 days (was 90)
  • Increases from 24 → 40 hours (3 → 5 days)

Bereavement Leave
3 days of paid leave provided for the death of an immediate family member, defined as:

  • Child (biological, adopted, foster, step, ward)
  • Parent or guardian (including in loco parentis)
  • Spouse or domestic partner
  • Grandparent, grandchild, sibling


Holiday Provisions

Majors & Supplemental Digital Agreements

  • Juneteenth recognized as a holiday starting 3/9/2025
  • Holiday accrual increases from 4% to 4.583% of straight-time annual earnings for covered Local 161 members


Severance (Supplemental Digital Agreement)

New severance language added effective 3/9/2025 for employees with at least one "qualified year" of service. Details and eligibility definitions are outlined in the MOA.


New Media Coverage Updates

Effective March 9, 2025:

  • AVOD & FAST Channel productions now fall under the New Media Sideletter
  • New seasons (post-3/2/2025) must use rates based on 3% below current TV rates, or full rates depending on format
  • Low Budget projects (post-3/2/2025) use Long Form rates reduced by 6%
    Rate charts available in MOA

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-related provisions have been formally added to both the Majors and Supplemental Digital Agreements, effective March 9, 2025.


Earnings Reports

Employers will, upon request from Local 161, authorize their payroll service to provide union earnings rep

orts for employees working in jurisdictions covered under Part III of the agreement.


Disclaimer:
This material is intended as a general reference guide and does not reflect the complete terms and conditions of any specific union collective bargaining agreement. While efforts have been made to present accurate and current information, the content may contain errors or omissions. Collective bargaining agreements are subject to change, and provisions may vary based on the applicable union, local, jurisdiction, production type, or individual agreement terms. This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for reviewing the applicable agreement in full or consulting with qualified payroll, labor, or legal professionals.

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