SAG-AFTRA Votes Unanimously to Approve Landmark Commercial Contracts

The SAG-AFTRA National Board has largely endorsed the preliminary commercial contracts agreed upon with the Joint Policy Committee on April 12, 2025. This approval signifies that the deals will proceed to the organization's members for final endorsement.

The choice reached during the mandatory biannual face-to-face meeting resulted in an accord adding $218.4 million in fresh income and enhanced benefits over a span of three years. Should this be approved, the deals will offer compound raises for performers: 5% growth in the first year, followed by 4% in the second year, and concluding with a 3% rise in the third year.

If the board endorses a "yes" vote, the cost for one-year streaming access could go up by as much as 33.33%, aligning with changes in the evolving ad sector. Furthermore, using YouTube.com under a paid subscription will see an uptick of 12% from traditional digital pricing levels—a change aimed at recognizing its status as a high-end service.

Congratulations go out to the Commercial Contract negotiation team for their meticulous efforts in securing this agreement, marking a crucial advance in safeguarding the financial security of actors amid significant technological shifts within the advertising sector," stated SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. "Katie Von Till and Erin Fritch, who jointly chaired the committee, demonstrated remarkable leadership through their strength, sagacity, intelligence, and perseverance. Bravo to these accomplished women! This new Commercial Contract stands as a robust instrument, offering greater AI protection compared to previous agreements. Excellent job!

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, commented, “Thanks to an exceptionally committed negotiation team, we’ve secured a contract with genuine salary increases and established guidelines along with fees for digital replicas—a crucial advancement as the sector evolves. It’s gratifying that the National Board has endorsed this progressive pact, allowing membership to examine all its benefits. Moreover, I wish to express profound gratitude toward our remarkable and valiant bargaining group, particularly Co-Chairpersons Erin Fritch and Katie Von Till, alongside Raymond Rodriguez, who served magnificently as lead negotiator.”

The key points included in this agreement cover several areas: - Performers’ data cannot be utilized for training artificial intelligence systems unless explicit permission has been granted. - Consent from the performer must precede the creation of any digital replicas. - If a digital replica generates a performance, approval with full information is mandatory along with additional charges equivalent to 1.5 times the regular session fee plus relevant holding and usage costs. - Measures ensuring fairness when using generative AI technologies are implemented, eliminating unfair benefits associated with virtual actors. - The overall pension and healthcare contribution percentage will increase from 20.5% up to 23.5%. However, those authorized under JPC may benefit from reduced rates down to 19.95%. - Plans aim towards developing automatic tools for tracking business-related uses commercially. - A special district and hiring priority were established specifically for Austin, TX. - Written notification about potential disabilities accommodations should occur upon initial involvement. - Significant enhancements protect young performers more effectively than previously possible. - Late payment fines have become both stricter and simpler to enforce administratively. - Per diem payments are mandated starting from either the commencement date of duties or during transit periods. - Dancers performing lip-syncing tasks receive an added bonus amounting to one-quarter above their standard pay grade. - Singers working on demo recordings not intended for broadcast see improved wages too. - Lastly, fundamental changes introduce modernized online frameworks within contracts governing audio commercials.

SAG-AFTRA members who qualify can submit their votes for ratification by 5 PM PDT on May 21.

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