Joint Statement from SAG-AFTRA and the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations

October 19, 2017

SAG-AFTRA and the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations (JPC) today issued the following joint statement regarding commercial low budget digital productions:

“After listening to the concerns of our signatories and with the JPC’s member needs in mind, both organizations have decided to offer a waiver for commercial digital low budget productions. 

 “While a waiver of this scope is rare, the union and the JPC felt it necessary to create this waiver mid-contract to offer relief to ad agencies that are losing clients to non-signatory ad agencies on digital work. Our hope is that they will now be able to retain this work and maintain those highly creative and productive relationships with advertisers.

“Nonunion work in the area of digital (internet and new media) commercials has grown over the years. While the rates under this waiver are negotiable, it will secure more work for our members and provide contributions towards health and pension benefits.

“This waiver applies solely to new low budget digital commercial productions with budgets of 50k and under. Any digital commercial with a budget over 50k is still covered by the existing terms and conditions of the Commercials Contract and paid at not less than the minimums set under the Internet or New Media provisions. 

“We are using this waiver to experiment with the goal of developing a strong foothold in this area.”