SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative deal with production companies for a three-year master contract covering movie and primetime TV work. The performers union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached the agreement late Thursday following nearly two months of negotiations — and three 24-hour extensions of the contract expiration.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing about 165,000 actors and other performers, said it will begin negotiations with Hollywood’s major studios on a new film and television contract May 5. The talks will be closely watched as they mark the first time the union has bargained on a film and TV contract since SAG merged with its smaller rival union, AFTRA, two years ago.
SAG-AFTRA is holding off on filing grievances against advertisers who have not yet adopted the standard digital identifier — dubbed Ad-ID — mandated for ads using union members.
Exclusives
Veteran actor Ken Howard has won another term as president of SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s largest entertainment union. Howard easily defeated his challenger, NYPD Blue actor Esai Morales, to determine who will lead the performers union over the next two years.
SAG-AFTRA members voted overwhelmingly to approve its commercials contracts, with 96% of the national membership saying yes. The contracts go into effect immediately, retroactive to April 1, and are good through June 30, 2016.
SAG-AFTRA and the ad industry will begin using a standard digital identifier — dubbed Ad-ID — in a little less than a year, assuming that members of the performers union ratify the tentative deal. The basic idea is to replace the multiple methods used to track performers compensation — which is based on how many times and where an ad airs — with a single system.
SAG-AFTRA leaders have approved a new three-year commercials contract, triggering a ratification vote by members for the successor deal. In a meeting Sunday, the union’s national board unanimously approved the deal reached with the ad industry on April 6.
Negotiations will begin Feb. 14, well in advance of contract expiration at the end of March. A significant issue for the union is expected to be increasing employer contributions to the union pension and health plans.
