The post-production editors for Saturday Night Live will go on strike starting on April 1, Variety has reported. Following months of bargaining for better pay and benefits, the unionized workers will disrupt the production of the show until NBC can meet in the middle for a proper agreement.
The approximate 20 editors for Saturday Night Live unionized with the Motion Picture Guild back in October had set a goal of negotiations with NBC. Bargaining had been going on, but nothing has been written for fair pay or health coverage, which has remained the same. Reportedly both sides are far apart as NBC is not meeting the workers where they want their pay and benefits to be.
Saturday Night Live editors to strike due to no agreements in negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viFhmHRe7fc
A part of the issue stems from a disparity between crew members. Some people are paid and given benefits that fit the work they put into the show. Meanwhile, the editing team are “paid rates far below industry standards.” In the case of assistant editors, they make hourly wages. The company’s proposed wages are not meeting anywhere near what the workers are seeking, which includes annual raises that are below the industry standard.
NBC has had what it has wanted to offer for benefits and pay. For one, it is offering retroactive pay without a guarantee for people to be paid for delayed contract negotiations. Secondly, its healthcare coverage is proposed to be a two-tiered system, which could lead to a disparity between editors, especially newly hired editors.
When it comes to the management of the Saturday Night Live editors, NBC proposed a “management’s rights” clause. It would give the company more power by eradicating the workers’ bargaining rights as the company subcontracts work and changes rules or policies. This differs from other agreements the company has made.
Although no agreement has been able to be reached, the company is reportedly going to try to close a deal by the end of the month before the Saturday Night Live editors go on strike this April.