Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and The Joint Policy Committee, LLC (JPC) have reached a tentative agreement on terms for successor television and audio commercials contracts, subject to approval by the SAG-AFTRA national board later this month.
While specific details will not be released in advance of the board’s review, the tentative deal introduces an innovative and flexible alternative compensation model that specifically addresses the realities of the modern advertising business while preserving and enhancing opportunities for actors to have a professional career.
In addition to the benefits of the new model, SAG-AFTRA members working in commercials also will see across-the-board wage increases for all categories of work; increases to the benefit plans; coverage of stunt coordinators; outsized gains to group dancers; protections against workplace sexual harassment; and streamlined processes for commercial agents representing SAG-AFTRA members.
SAG-AFTRA president and Negotiating Committee chair Gabrielle Carteris said the tentative agreement delivers essential gains while positioning performers and the industry for growth in a rapidly changing environment.
“This agreement represents a real step forward for actors in this space. It modernizes the commercials contracts making them more relevant to the industry now and into the future. It is a monumental advancement in growing our jurisdiction. We are proud to have helped create this important benchmark that clearly speaks to the needs of the membership and the evolution of our industry,” Carteris said. “I also want to congratulate the members of the negotiating committee for their foresight, hard work and diligence. I particularly wish to recognize chief negotiator David White and chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez for their ferocious advocacy on behalf of SAG-AFTRA members.”
Joint Policy Committee chief negotiator Stacy Marcus said, “The members of our respective committees worked cooperatively to address the serious needs of both the industry and the SAG-AFTRA membership. The result of that hard work and committed partnership is a landmark agreement that protects industry and member interests, while creating a structure that will also grow the opportunities for years to come. Both the industry and SAG-AFTRA should be proud of their collective accomplishment.”
SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator David White said, “President Carteris and this member negotiating committee worked diligently for more than two years to prepare and negotiate this transformative agreement. Representing members from across the country, they worked relentlessly to design real solutions to the challenges facing the advertising industry. I also want to recognize the extraordinary work of the negotiations staff, in particular chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez, chief economist David Viviano, associate national executive director Mathis Dunn, sr. advisor John McGuire and executive director of commercials contracts Lori Hunt. Working alongside dozens of our exceptional colleagues, this team brought passion, diligence and an aggressive pursuit of members’ interests to this negotiation, and their efforts will benefit our membership for generations to come.”
Formal negotiations between the 33-member (17 seated members and 16 alternates) SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee and the industry began Feb. 20 and concluded April 2 at 4:10 p.m. ET in New York. The JPC was represented by Marcus (JPC), Kim Stevens (JPC), David Weissman (Eckert Seamans), Michael Isselin (Reed Smith LLP), Danielle Korn (McCann NY), and Sandra Leib (DDB Chicago).
SAG-AFTRA was represented by Carteris, White, lead negotiator Rodriguez, Dunn, McGuire, Hunt and Viviano. The tentative agreements will be submitted to the SAG-AFTRA National Board for approval at its April 13-14 meeting. Upon approval by the board, the package will be sent to the membership for ratification.
