Pay for COVID-19 Tests at Fittings

The question has arisen whether a performer or background actor who is tested for COVID-19 and fitted on the same day is owed testing pay under the Return to Work Agreement. SAG-AFTRA’s position is that you are owed the testing pay in addition to the fitting fee in this circumstance. 

While the Return to Work Agreement provides that no testing payment is due “if the employee is otherwise paid for the day,” we do not believe that a fitting fee counts as payment “for the day.” Some employers do not agree with our interpretation and SAG-AFTRA has therefore filed claims on this issue. 

If you have experienced this circumstance already, or if you should experience this circumstance in the future, please contact SAG-AFTRA at (855) SAG-AFTRA / (855) 724-2387 so that your information can be documented and included in our pending claims. If you would like your information added to an already existing claim, please email the following information to info@sagaftra.org:

• Your name
• SAG-AFTRA ID (if applicable)
• Date of work
• Role type
• Email address
• Phone number

For additional information, updates and FAQs regarding the Return to Work Agreement, please visit sagaftra.org/backtowork.