Member Message: Board Approves Commercials Contracts

Today, your SAG-AFTRA National Board overwhelmingly approved the tentative agreement for the Commercials Contracts reached with the Joint Policy Committee on April 12. Among the many wins from the deal: one-year streaming use fees have been increased by up to 33.33% to keep stride with the transforming advertising industry, and paid YouTube.com use now commands a 12% increase over the current Traditional Digital rates — a restructuring that reflects its rise as a premium platform.

Compounding, real wage growth has been locked in, increasing compensation 5% in year one, 4% in year two, 3% in year three. The three-year deal nets out to $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions 

Additionally, the Commercials Contracts now boast the most comprehensive A.I. protections of any of our contracts and include the first restrictions on using performers’ work to train generative A.I. models.

With the Board’s approval and recommendation of a “yes” vote, the deal now goes to the union’s membership for ratification. 

Full details of the agreement will be provided in the coming days.

All members who are eligible to vote will receive a postcard in the mail with voting instructions.

In order for you to have as much information as possible on the new contracts prior to voting, a summary of the tentative agreement, and FAQs will be posted to sagaftra.org/commercials2025 soon. Check back frequently for updates.

Member Informational Meetings

Informational meetings for members across the country to discuss the tentative agreement will take place online at the following times:

• Thursday, May 1, at 2 – 5 p.m. PT / 3 – 6 p.m. MT / 4 – 7 p.m. CT / 5 – 8 p.m. ET
• Monday, May 5, at 6 – 9 p.m. PT / 7 – 10 p.m. MT / 8 – 11 p.m. CT / 9 – Midnight ET
• Tuesday, May 6, at 12 – 3 p.m. PT / 1 – 4 p.m. MT / 2 – 5 p.m. CT / 3 – 6 p.m. ET
• Friday, May 9, at 2 – 5 p.m. / 3 – 6 p.m. MT / 4 – 7 p.m. CT / 5 – 8 p.m. ET

If you are unable to attend or have questions regarding the tentative agreement, please email commercials2025@sagaftra.org or call (323) 549-6742.

The informational meetings are open to active SAG-AFTRA members. No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Watch your email for more updates to come.