SAG-AFTRA has been actively engaged in organizing in the area of audiobooks for the last several years. In fact, the union has organized more than 40 audiobook producers and publishers since 2008, including the largest of the independent audiobook publishers across the country.
Do Not Work Order for Audiomedia Productions
Audiomedia Productions is a New York City-based company that produces audiobooks. Audiomedia Productions was signed to an agreement with SAG-AFTRA from 2012 to 2015. Prior to the expiration of the agreement, it ceased producing audiobooks. Sometime in early 2017, SAG-AFTRA was advised by several members that the company had resumed producing audiobooks and had approached them to work for it. SAG-AFTRA staff reached out to negotiate an agreement, but the company refused to engage in collective bargaining. The company was advised in writing that SAG-AFTRA staff would have no choice but to seek a “no contract, no work” order since it had refused to bargain.
As such, with the unanimous support of the SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of the SAG-AFTRA National Board has voted unanimously to issue a “no contract, no work” order against Audiomedia Productions.
Therefore SAG-AFTRA members are hereby informed that no member may accept work with Audiomedia Productions until such time as it becomes signatory to a SAG-AFTRA agreement and that violation of such order may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.
Do Not Work Order for Zero Mile Media
Zero Mile Media is an Atlanta, Georgia-based company that produces audio drama podcasts. Upon learning that Zero Mile Media had approached SAG-AFTRA members to work for it, SAG-AFTRA staff reached out to negotiate an agreement. There was one negotiating session but no agreement was reached. The company was advised in the meeting and in writing that SAG-AFTRA staff would have no choice but to seek a “no contract, no work” order if an agreement was not reached.
As such, with the unanimous support of the SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of the SAG-AFTRA National Board has voted unanimously to issue a “no contract, no work” order against Zero Mile Media.
Therefore SAG-AFTRA members are hereby informed that no member may accept work with Zero Mile Media until such time as it becomes signatory to a SAG-AFTRA agreement and that violation of such order may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.
For both of the above notices, Actor’s Equity Association is also being asked to support SAG-AFTRA in this effort by advising its members not to accept work as audiobook narrators for Audiomedia Productions and Zero Mile Media in accordance with Article X(1)(f)(1) of the Bylaws of Actors’ Equity Association.
For questions about this notice, please contact Jane Love at jane.love@sagaftra.org or Richard Larkin at richard.larkin@sagaftra.org.