Do You Work Commercials?

by Suzanne Burkhead
National Board Member and Vice Chair, Committee of Locals

The new union is negotiating its first major contract: Commercials. This will be the successor to SAG and AFTRA’s Commercials contracts and AFTRA’s Radio Commercials contract. I am pleased to be an alternate on the Negotiating Committee, representing small locals. I was in New York in February and March for the negotiations with the Joint Policy Committee, which represents advertising agencies and advertisers.

Following numerous Wages & Working Conditions meetings across the country, the committee and negotiators examined every proposal submitted, including those from the Texas locals, and came up with a final list of proposals that will benefit members across the country. The National Board approved the proposals at their last meeting on Feb. 2.

The Commercials contract is very important to us in Texas, representing major earnings for our members. I will fight to protect our contract, while looking ahead to an ever-changing industry to protect our rights in the future.

I look forward to updating you when the negotiations are concluded.

This item was originally featured in the April 2013 local newsletter.