SAG-AFTRA Approves Commercials Proposal Package and Renews National Executive Director’s Contract

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK  (Feb. 2, 2019) – The SAG-AFTRA National Board today approved the 2019 Commercials Negotiations Proposal Package in advance of bargaining scheduled to commence Feb. 20, in New York. The proposals are confidential and will not be disclosed.

The commercials contracts negotiating committee will be chaired by President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White will serve as chief negotiator. As a matter of longstanding union practice, negotiating committee members are not identified.

Both Carteris and White declined to comment on the board’s actions on this matter due to the mutually agreed upon news blackout covering the impending commercials negotiations.

The board also voted to renew the employment agreement of National Executive Director David White. White’s new contract now runs through February 1, 2023. Details of the agreement are confidential and were not released.

Commenting on the extension, Carteris said, “I am thrilled that the national board overwhelmingly voted to ensure David’s executive expertise and stewardship of SAG-AFTRA’s operations will continue for another four years. It speaks to the strength and stability of this union and our forward vision.”

“SAG-AFTRA is a truly extraordinary organization and I continue to be excited and energized by the opportunity to lead this operation. I look forward to continuing my partnership with our members, our elected leaders and the talented staff of this union. I want to thank President Carteris, the officers and the National Board for their confidence and giving me this opportunity to serve.”

In other business, the board approved two new agreements in the interactive space. The new Low Budget Video Game Agreement and Interactive Localization Agreement were created in partnership with video game producers to create more opportunities for SAG-AFTRA members to work in parts of the industry that were previously unorganized. Video games under $1.5M now have access to the world-class talent of the SAG-AFTRA membership in an accessible rate structure. Our members have been working with developers under this agreement to create award-winning games in a truly collaborative fashion. The Interactive Localization Agreement was created to reach an area of the industry, foreign video games that are recorded in English, that has historically been non-union. With input from the industry, the union’s contracts representatives heard the specific needs of foreign developers and created an agreement that fairly compensates our members while granting foreign companies a structure that gives them the flexibility of asset use that they require.

The board also reviewed administrative, finance and governance matters, and received reports including: 

President’s Report

Carteris opened with a remembrance of the members who died since the last national board meeting.

She applauded the thousands of members who are supporting the #StrikeBBH campaign and urging all members to continue to work union and recognized especially the contributions of member J. K. Simmons who recorded a video supporting the #AdsGoUnion campaign. Simmons’ video message played at the recent SAG Awards and is now available on multiple social media platforms.

The president also reported on her role as the Professional Sector Committee Chair on the AFL-CIO Futures Commission on Work and Unions. Carteris recently hosted a technology field trip with a delegation of labor union leaders at CES in Las Vegas.

Finally, Carteris congratulated White on his recent appointment by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., to the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco – one of only three union leaders to serve at that level.

National Executive Director’s Report

White provided a confidential report on the recent #StrikeBBH advertising campaign and rally which drew nearly 1,000 people to a demonstration and march which kicked off at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. White previewed the next strategic and creative phase of the campaign.

White provided a summary report of the union’s operations. He also gave a report on several new technology innovations underway, including a briefing on the effort to expand the functionality of SAG-AFTRA’s mobile app and a virtual membership card that employs unique QR codes to track event registration at check-in. The union is also testing a pay dues tool as part of SAG-AFTRA’s mobile app. Both innovations continue to empower members through the streamlined processes on the member mobile app. White reported that the union will continue to focus on member education and empowerment. 

Finance Report

Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto reported that both revenue and expenses are tracking according to plan for the second quarter.

The board approved a Finance Committee recommendation to hold initiation fees at their current rates and to allow an automatic increase in base dues from $214.32 to $218.61 to take effect as per the Merger Agreement, effective May 1, 2019.

In addition to the above, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland presented a recommendation regarding the initiation of negotiations for a successor agreement to the Music Video Agreement, which expires April 30, 2019, including a report on the appointment of the Chairs for the negotiating committee.

Legal and Governance Report

Crabtree-Ireland also updated the board on several routine governance matters and the progress of 2019 biennial convention planning.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. PT.

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.

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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.