SAG-AFTRA announced Friday that the overwhelming majority of its members voted in favor of ratifying the new network television code, which affects non-primetime programming.
The guild95% of voters voted in favor of the new code. It is expected that it will generate more than $200 million.
“This agreement is a step toward elevating our consciousness and sensitivity regarding safe spaces for performers on set. That is a big, transformative win. I also am pleased that our negotiators made meaningful gains with new compensation and improved protections for our members,”Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA said this in a release.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree – Ireland made a second statement. “This agreement was a direct product of member engagement and involvement. It achieved gains in a number of key areas that members said were most important to them, including for dancers, singers, promo announcers and stand-ins, among others. And achieving those gains was made possible thanks to the hard work of the Negotiating Committee, member leaders and staff.”
Among the highlights of the union’s contract was:
General wage increases of 3% per annum retroactive to July 1, 2020, applicable to all rates
-A 1% benefit fund contribution rate increase split 60% to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and 40% to the AFTRA Retirement Fund.
Producers are required to provide transportation and lodging to broadcast centers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. for primetime award shows and entertainment programs. There are currently exceptions to the transportation and lodging obligations for all types programming.
-Required lodging and transportation when inclement weather or exhaustion prevents safe driving
-Greatly improved nudity, simulated sex provisions, that match the achievements in the 2020 TV/Theatrical contracts negotiation.
-Substantial increases in dancers on primetime Variety Shows and Award Shows in the extra rehearsal rates (from $30 to 40 to $40 to overtime) and overtime rates (from $45 to primetime variety rehearsal days and $48 to award show rehearsal days to $55 each), as well as a $70 overtime rate for overtime hours exceeding 12 hours per day.
-Notice must be given to dancers of all authorized rehearsals. This will allow the union and dancers to discuss and settle disputes regarding whether rehearsals are covered.
Singers receive doubling pay at 50% off the applicable dancer fee when they are required to learn “complex choreography.”
If there are more then two weeks of rehearsals for an award show, primetime entertainment special or primetime show, rehearsal pay will be due biweekly rather than after the show day.
-First-ever requirement to pay scale — set at the same as traditional media scale — for promotional announcements made for new media with an additional 15% due for use beyond 13 weeks.
-First-ever requirement of additional compensation — set at 15% of minimum fee — for reuse beyond 13 weeks of a traditional media promotional announcement reused in new media.
-Automatic $14 extra compensation for background actors or stand-ins who are required to work in artificially produced rain or smoke (except herbal cigarettes), when they are not able or unable to wear the appropriate swim, surf, or snow gear.
-Stand-in calls have significantly increased.