SAG-AFTRA To Adopt Dues Extension Program for Members Impacted By COVID-19 Work Loss

LOS ANGELES — SAG-AFTRA today announced that it has developed a program to provide dues relief for SAG-AFTRA members during the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

Under the program, SAG-AFTRA members who are in a position to pay their dues in full are urged to do so upon receipt of their May semi-annual dues bill. Members experiencing financial hardship resulting from work stoppages related to COVID-19 will be granted a due date extension and an installment plan for those payments. As part of that relief, no late fees will be assessed and there will be no adverse impact on members’ work eligibility during this time.  

SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said, “As working people, we know the great difficulties our members are facing. In order to relieve some of the financial stress so many people are dealing with at this time, the Finance Committee worked to provide much needed relief.”

“I also want to thank the Executive Committee for their rapid response and diligence in launching this program to quickly bring help to our membership,” Carteris added.

With production slowed or halted across SAG-AFTRA entertainment, television and commercials contract areas, it is crucial that the union is able to collect the greatest portion of revenue possible to ensure critical services continue without disruption. Members who can pay on time are encouraged to do so when they receive their bills. Those members who require relief may request an extension of the May 1 due date.

In light of the extraordinary challenges all organizations are facing during this global pandemic, the Executive Committee also approved a resolution designating the union as being in a status of resource conservation. This status ensures that SAG-AFTRA resources are exclusively devoted to essential, core functions, such as residuals payment processing, contract negotiation and enforcement, and organizing. During this period routine and non-essential meetings and activities will be deferred.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.