Attention All Members Who Do Audiobook Narration Work! Important Notice Regarding: Essential Audiobooks, LLC
This company produces audiobooks and was signed to a contract with SAG-AFTRA. After failing to pay performers, SAG-AFTRA filed first a grievance and eventually for arbitration in accordance with the contract. Essential Audiobooks did not respond to any communications from either the union or the American Arbitration Association. Following a favorable award from the arbitrator, SAG-AFTRA filed for judgment in the Supreme Court of New York State and subsequently executed upon the judgment on Catherine O'Brien and Essential Audiobooks. Also, on May 5, 2022, SAG-AFTRA notified Essential Audiobooks, LLC that the union was exercising its right under the Contract to terminate the Agreement upon ninety (90) days written notice.
To date, there has been no response from Essential Audiobooks and the arbitration and subsequent court awards have not been satisfied. As such, with the unanimous support of the SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of the National Board of Directors has voted to issue a “No Contract, No Work” order against Essential Audiobooks, LLC.
Therefore, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby informed that no member may accept work with this company until such time as its debts under the contract are paid in full, and a new contract is entered into between SAG-AFTRA and Essential Audiobooks, LLC, and that violation of such order may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.
For more information or if you are otherwise contacted by the company, contact SAG-AFTRA National Director, Audiobooks Jane Love at (301) 634-4859 or Jane.Love@sagaftra.org, or SAG-AFTRA Executive Director/Labor Counsel, News & Broadcast Richard Larkin at (212) 863-4242 or Richard.Larkin@sagaftra.org.