Union Scale
Minimum wage rates established by entertainment unions for different job classifications and working conditions.
Definition
Union scale refers to the minimum compensation rates negotiated by entertainment industry unions for various job categories, experience levels, and working conditions including overtime, meal penalties, and holiday premiums.
These rates are established through collective bargaining agreements and vary by union jurisdiction, project budget level, and distribution platform. Scale rates represent minimum payments, with many professionals earning above-scale compensation.
Why It Matters
Union scale rates establish baseline production budget calculations and ensure fair compensation standards across the entertainment industry, preventing exploitation of creative and technical professionals.
Understanding scale rates is essential for accurate budget planning and contract negotiations, as violations can result in significant penalties and production delays from union grievance procedures.
Examples in Practice
SAG-AFTRA scale rates vary significantly between theatrical films, television series, and streaming content, with different minimums based on project budget levels and distribution platforms.
Directors Guild scale includes minimum salary guarantees plus residual participation formulas that provide ongoing compensation for successful projects across multiple distribution windows.
Below-the-line union scales cover hundreds of specialized positions from camera operators to sound technicians, with detailed overtime and working condition provisions that significantly impact production scheduling.