Aussie SPAA to enter discussions with MEAA re employment of actors for offshore commercials

Followinga “constructive” meeting with MEAA earlier this week in which the unionoffered to consider amendments to the Offshore Commercials Agreement,the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) has advised MEAAthat it will enter into discussions with regard to the broad employmentconditions for Offshore Commercials.

“There are aspects of the current Agreement that have the effect ofmaking Australia non-competitive in the international market.  We areseeking an outcome from these discussions that establishes baseconditions for performers, but still gives producers the flexibility toput together competitive deals which can be offered to actors and theiragents.  It should be remembered that there are no formal agreements inplace for the employment of performers for domestic commercials,” saidGeoff Brown (pictured), Executive Director of SPAA.

“The decision by our members to sit down and talk to MEAA demonstratesthe respect that SPAA has for Australian performers. We are under noobligation to make any offer to MEAA but we want performers to knowwe’re listening.  The current Agreement ends on August 7. Should anAgreement not be settled by the close of business on 6 August theOffshore Agreement will cease to operate, regardless of any outstandingdiscussions between MEAA and SPAA.

“The decision to withdraw from the Offshore Commercials Agreement hasnever just been about price.  Australia is an attractive productiondestination for many reasons – including political stability, crew andcast talent, wonderful locations etc – but the inability of producersto be flexible and to negotiate as a result of the Offshore CommercialsAgreement, has meant the loss of millions of dollars a year incommercials production. Australian production companies bid for, butdid not win, some $60m of production over the past year.”