The National Board of Directors voted on April 19th (2009) to approve a tentative TV/Theatrical deal with the producers and recommend it for ratification to the members.
After a months-long battle over contract issues - played out in nasty detail in the press - the National Board of Directors voted 53.38 percent to 46.62 percent to approve and recommend to SAG members new two-year successor agreements.
The proposed agreement covering actors in the jurisdiction of motion pictures and television, delivers a 3.5% effective annual increase comprised of a 3% wage increase and a .5% pension and health contribution increase upon ratification ( and a 3.5% wage increase in year two).
After all the terms were discussed extensively in a closed-door meeting, it was moved and seconded that the National Board direct the interim National Executive Director to send the tentative agreement between the Producers (represented by the AMPTP) and the Screen Actors Guild to the membership for ratification with a recommendation from the Board to vote ‘Yes.’
On the heels of the vote count, SAG National President Alan Rosenberg urged members to carefully review both the pros and cons in the referendum materials and exercise their right to vote."
“We are pleased that Screen Actors Guild members will soon be voting on a deal for television and motion pictures. We’re eager to get our members back to work and to focus now on the challenges ahead, particularly on initiating a comprehensive effort to thoughtfully plan for the future," added interim National Executive Director David White.
White proceeded to note that the negotiating committee, task force and professional staff worked tirelessly on the agreement over the past twelve months with a positive end result.
On behalf of the National Board, he thank the dedicated teams for contributing their time, commitment and expertise to the cause.
According to Chief Negotiator John McGuire, the tentative agreement delivers increased contributions to the SAG pension plan, increased minimums, a significant gain in background actor numbers from 50 to 55 over the term of the contract, and tracks new media provisions achieved by other entertainment industry unions.
"The terms of the agreement puts SAG in sync with the other unions, but does not include the extended term recently proposed by the AMPTP," he noted for the record.
Provisions of the proposed deal include:
* A two-year term of agreement concluding June 30, 2011.
* Effective annual increases of 3.0% in wage increases.
* A .5% increase in pension contributions upon ratification.
* A 3.5% wage increase one year following ratification.
* Greater residuals for TV & Theatrical features than those paid for DVD.
* Residuals for ad-supported streams of feature films & TV programs.
* Residuals for derivative new media programs.
* Additional background actors in features.
* Increased compensation for guest stars from 7.5% to 10%.
* Increased trailer money break ( $2,500 to $3,000 per week).
* Increased overtime money for 3-day performers ($2,700 to $3,000).
Staff at SAG have reported that the ratification ballots will be mailed to eligible Guild members in early May with an expected return date (votes cast) at the end of the month.
Tabulation will occur immediately upon the conclusion of balloting.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors in the country today.
Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, especially with regard to fighting for artists’ rights amid the current digital revolution which has swept the entertainment industry over the past couple of decades.
With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in motion pictures, television, industrial films, commercials, video games, music videos and all new media formats.
The Guild's main thrust is to enhance actors’ working conditions and pursue realistic compensation for services rendered.
Although opposing factions threatened to split the Actor's Union asunder in recent days over the contentious contract issues aforementioned, SAG continues to endeavour to be a unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights.
SAG is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO which is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Info: www.sag.org
