SAG-AFTRA members give big thumbs up to new commercials contracts

SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly approved new contracts covering work in commercials.

The new three-year contracts, which cover performers working in commercials for television, radio, the Internet and new media, were approved by a 96% margin, the union said in a statement Friday night.

The contracts, which take effect immediately and will be retroactive to April 1, will result in wage increases and other payments totaling $238 million for all categories of performers, improvements in cable use fees, increases in payments for work on the Internet and new media platforms and higher contributions to the union’s health and pension/retirement plans.

The contracts are the first major agreements negotiated by SAG-AFTRA since the union was formed a year ago by the merger of two previously separate unions representing actors and other performers.

“The ratification of this agreement is a great result for our members,” said David White, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator. “These contracts represent solid improvements and demonstrate the value of the collaborative relationship we’ve developed with the negotiators on the Joint Policy Committee. We look forward to expanding opportunities for our members to work under this agreement across the country.”

SAG-AFTRA and the Joint Policy Committee representing the advertising industry began formal negotiations in New York City on Feb. 14. The two sides reached a tentative agreement April 6.

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