Last updated September 29, 2026.
The 2024 IATSE Local 52 Feature and Television Production Contract, the 2024 Local USA 829 Motion Picture Production Agreement, and the 2024 Teamsters Local 817 (Locations) Agreement were all ratified effective October 1, 2024, alongside the broader wave of AMPTP/IATSE New York agreements.
Since then, contract provisions have been rolling out on a staggered timeline — and with the MOAs for all three now released ahead of the next wave of changes, we've put together what you need to know about what's changing and when.
📌 Editor’s Note (September 2026) - What's Changing on October 4, 2026:
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General wage rates increase 3.5% (the "Year 3" increase) across all three agreements — Local 52 Majors, Local 829 Majors, and Local 817 Locations — compounding on top of the 7% (2024) and 4% (2025) increases already in effect.
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The Motion Picture Industry Health Plan Basic Rate for "$15 Million Contributors" rises from $7.553 to $8.003 per hour under all three agreements, which share the same MPIPHP schedule.
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Aggregate daily benefit fund contributions rise from $190.00 to $205.00 per day under Local 52's Part B and Local 829's Trust Fund schedules.
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Local 817's Individual Account Plan contribution increases from 4.5% to 5% of scale wages.
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Local 52's per diem and out-of-town meal allowances step up on October 1, 2026 (Total per diem: $70.00 → $75.00 per day), and Local 829's out-of-town meal allowance increases the same day (to $11.00 breakfast / $11.00 lunch / $23.00 dinner).
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Local 817's personal vehicle and equipment allowances also increase effective October 4, 2026.
IATSE Local 52 Majors Agreement (Motion Picture Studio Mechanics)
Term
October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027
Wages
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General Wage Increases:
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Effective September 29, 2024 - 7% increase
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Effective September 28, 2025 - 4% increase
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Effective October 4, 2026 - 3.5% increase
These increases are compounded.
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Philadelphia-Area Operators & Sound Utility Person Adjustment: For "Operators" and the Sound "Utility Person" classification working on television motion pictures shooting within a 30-mile radius of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, an additional flat rate adjustment (applied before each general wage increase):
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Effective September 29, 2024 - additional $0.86 per hour
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Effective September 28, 2025 - additional $0.86 per hour
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Effective October 4, 2026 - additional $0.86 per hour
Benefits
- Motion Picture Industry Health Plan - Basic Rate (Part A, "$15 Million Contributors"):
- Effective September 29, 2024 - Increases from $5.713 to $7.103 per hour
- Effective September 28, 2025 - Increases from $7.103 to $7.553 per hour
- Effective October 4, 2026 - Increases from $7.553 to $8.003 per hour
- IATSE National Benefit Funds - Aggregate Daily Rate (Part B):
- Effective September 29, 2024 - $175.00 per day
- Effective September 28, 2025 - Increases to $190.00 per day
- Effective October 4, 2026 - Increases to $205.00 per day
- Dental Plan Maximum: Effective January 1, 2025, the Motion Picture Health Plan dental maximum benefit increases to $2,500 per calendar year, mirroring the improvement negotiated under the 2024 IATSE Basic Agreement.
- Pension Plan Contingent Benefit Increase: Beginning with the evaluation year of 2027 (and every three years thereafter), if the Health and Pension Plans meet applicable funding thresholds, pension benefit accrual rates increase 15% retroactively for the preceding three-year period.
Overtime
Effective for motion pictures, mini-series and seasons of series commencing principal photography on or after October 1, 2024: Triple time is now paid after 15 elapsed hours in a workday, across theatrical, television, sixth-day, seventh-day, and holiday overtime provisions.
Rest Period Penalty
Effective for motion pictures, mini-series and seasons of series commencing principal photography roughly 90 days after ratification (late December 2024): The penalty for invasion of the rest period changes from additional straight time to additional double time. Invasions of one-half hour or less are paid a minimum of one-half hour of additional double time; longer invasions are paid in one-tenth hour increments.
Per Diem & Meal Allowances
Applies to Buffalo Zone hires and Distant Hires (out-of-town, overnight locations):
- Effective October 1, 2024 - Breakfast $14.00 / Lunch $21.00 / Dinner $35.00 (Total $70.00 per day)
- Effective October 1, 2026 - Breakfast $16.00 / Lunch $22.00 / Dinner $37.00 (Total $75.00 per day)
Other Changes
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Effective January 1, 2025 - Juneteenth added as a recognized holiday; unworked holiday accrual percentage increases from 4% (3.719% base) to 4.583%.
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Effective October 1, 2024 - New Article 20 (Artificial Intelligence) added, governing use of AI Systems, consent for likeness scanning, and required Employer/Union meetings on emerging AI use.
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Effective October 1, 2024 - New bereavement leave article: up to 3 paid days for the death of a family member.
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Effective October 1, 2024 - Production must issue next-day call times within one hour of general crew wrap.
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Effective October 1, 2024 - New subcontracting notice requirement and extreme heat/cold safety plan requirements added.
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Effective October 1, 2024 - Pension and health contributions on "travel only" days now based on actual hours traveled (4-hour minimum, 8-hour maximum).
United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 Majors Agreement
Term
October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027
Wages
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General Wage Increases:
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Effective September 29, 2024 - 7% increase
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Effective September 28, 2025 - 4% increase
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Effective October 4, 2026 - 3.5% increase
These increases are compounded.
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Costume Designer Minimum Rates: Costume Designer minimums are set as flat weekly dollar amounts rather than tracking the general percentage increases. For example, the theatrical motion picture (5-day week) minimum:
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Current - $4,526.18
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Year 1 (9/29/24) - $5,575.30
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Year 2 (9/28/25) - $5,798.31
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Year 3 (10/4/26) - $6,001.25
Separate rate tables apply to one-hour series, long-form/pilots, and half-hour television — see the MOA for the full chart.
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New Classification: Effective October 1, 2024, a Producer may designate a "Key Assistant Costume Designer," paid 110% of the applicable Assistant Costume Designer minimum rate.
Benefits
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Trust Fund (Pension, Welfare & Annuity) - Aggregate Daily Contribution: Applies to theatrical and television motion pictures, weekly "on-call" and hourly employees, as well as Art Department Coordinators and Costume Department Coordinators:
The IATSE Annuity Fund contribution remains 5.5% of the applicable scale rate of pay throughout the term.
Overtime
Effective for motion pictures, new mini-series and seasons of series commencing principal photography on or after October 1, 2024: Triple time is now paid after 15 elapsed hours in a workday (up from 2.5x after 14 hours for theatrical productions).
Rest Period
Effective for principal photography on or after October 1, 2024: The daily rest period increases to 10 hours (9 hours for employees on overnight location). If the rest period is invaded by one-half hour or less, the penalty is one-half hour of additional double time; longer invasions are paid in one-tenth hour increments of additional double time.
Meal Allowances (Out-of-Town Locations)
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Effective October 1, 2024 - Breakfast $10.00 / Lunch $10.00 / Dinner $20.00 (up from $4.50 / $6.50 / $9.00), plus a $30.00 per diem for local transportation
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Effective October 1, 2026 - Breakfast $11.00 / Lunch $11.00 / Dinner $23.00
Other Changes
- Effective January 1, 2025 - Juneteenth added as a recognized holiday.
- Effective October 1, 2024 - New Article 31 (Artificial Intelligence) added, mirroring the AI provisions negotiated across the 2024 IATSE agreements.
- Effective October 1, 2024 - New Courtesy Housing and Transportation article: employer must offer courtesy housing or round-trip transportation when an employee works more than 14 hours.
- Effective October 1, 2024 - New bereavement leave article: up to 3 paid days for the death of a family member.
- Effective October 1, 2024 - Production must issue next-day call times within one hour of general crew wrap.
- Bulletins issued on secure parking for early/late calls and provision of menstrual products at no cost to employees.
Teamsters Local 817 (Locations) Agreement
Term
October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2028 — a four-year term, one year longer than the companion Local 52 and Local 829 Majors Agreements
Wages
Minimum hourly wage rates by classification (Theatrical / Television), reflecting the same 7% / 4% / 3.5% general wage schedule as the other 2024 New York agreements:
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Theatrical:
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Assistant Location Manager: $36.34 (9/29/24) → $37.79 (9/28/25) → $39.11 (10/4/26) → $40.48 (10/3/27)
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Location Scout: $34.60 → $35.98 → $37.24 (10/4/26) → $38.54
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Location Department Coordinator: $31.78 → $33.05 → $34.21 (10/4/26) → $35.41
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Location Assistant: $28.50 → $29.64 → $30.68 (10/4/26) → $31.75
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Television:
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Assistant Location Manager: $34.60 → $35.98 → $37.24 (10/4/26) → $38.54
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Location Scout: $32.96 → $34.28 → $35.48 (10/4/26) → $36.72
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Location Department Coordinator: $30.36 → $31.57 → $32.67 (10/4/26) → $33.81
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Location Assistant: $27.08 → $28.16 → $29.15 (10/4/26) → $30.17
Benefits
New Preference List System
Effective October 1, 2025, Employers established CSATF-administered Preference Lists for Assistant Location Manager, Location Scout, Location Department Coordinator, and Location Assistant. Individuals with the required qualifying workdays and safety training must be given hiring preference for open positions in their classification, subject to defined exceptions and a dispute resolution procedure.
Overtime
Effective for motion pictures, new mini-series and seasons of series commencing principal photography on or after ratification (late 2024): Double time is now paid after 12 worked hours (up from 14 elapsed hours), and triple time is paid after 15 elapsed hours in a workday.
Rest Period
Effective for principal photography commencing on or after ratification: The rest period between calls increases to 10 hours (9 hours for employees on Distant Location). Invasions of up to 2 hours (1 hour for Distant Location) are paid at additional straight time; longer invasions are paid at double time until the employee receives 8 hours of rest.
Vehicle & Equipment Allowances
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Personal Vehicle Allowance (Assistant Location Manager / Location Scout): Increases effective October 4, 2026 — the fuel-inclusive option rises from $75.00 to $80.00 per day (from $80.00 to $85.00 outside the 30-mile radius of Columbus Circle); the fuel-reimbursed option rises from $55.00 to $60.00 per day (from $60.00 to $65.00 outside the 30-mile radius).
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Personal Vehicle Allowance (Location Department Coordinator / Location Assistant): Increases effective October 4, 2026 from $50.00/$70.00 to $55.00/$75.00 per day.
Other Changes
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Effective January 1, 2025 - Juneteenth added as a recognized holiday.
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Effective January 1, 2025 - Sick leave accrual cap increases from 48 to 80 hours; eligibility waiting period drops from 90 to 45 days; carryover bank increases from 24 to 40 hours.
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Effective on ratification - New bereavement leave article: up to 3 paid days for the death of a family member.
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Effective on ratification - Kit/equipment fee for employees required to supply their own gear increases (Assistant Location Manager/Location Scout to $30/day; Location Assistant/Coordinator to $15/day).
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A bulletin was issued reminding Employers to promptly provide P-Cards or petty cash so Locations Department personnel aren't left covering production expenses out of pocket.
➡️ While here, you can also check the IATSE Basic Agreement Changes And Effective Dates, the Ratified IATSE Local 161 Changes And Effective Dates, and the Ratified IATSE 764 and IATSE 798 Changes and Effective Dates for other union rate updates.
The information in this communication is general in nature and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice rendered by GreenSlate, LLC. The reader should contact his or her attorney, CPA, or tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.
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