SAG-AFTRA, Music Artists Coalition, California Labor Federation and Black Music Action Coalition thank Assemblymember Ash Kalra for Championing the FAIR Act for 2022

LOS ANGELES — SAG-AFTRA, Music Artists Coalition, California Labor Federation and Black Music Action Coalition praised the introduction of the 2022 Free Artists from Industry Restrictions or (FAIR) Act into the State Assembly. Introduced by California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra (CA-27), the FAIR Act clarifies the ability of CA workers to work multiple jobs, and limits production studios’ and record labels’ ability to unilaterally hold artists off the market. The 2022 Fair Act was specifically updated to address the concerns we heard from our motion picture and music industry employers.

"Thank you Assemblymember Kalra and the California Labor Federation for joining in the pursuit of fairness for all California employees with the 2022 FAIR Act," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. "Times and work models have changed, and as such we must protect every Californian’s right to work as many jobs as they wish in order to live their best life. Employers don’t own us. Workers get paid to fulfill a specific job and are expected to do that job well. No employer should have the right to dictate that their employee cannot work a second or third job as long as the employee continues to do said job well. The FAIR Act protects ALL California workers from employer domination and allows for any worker to privately pursue additional streams of revenue as well as career advancement. 

"Short of sharing trade secrets, it’s no employer’s business what a California worker does in their free time. I applaud SAG-AFTRA industry partners, the Black Music Action Coalition and the Music Artists Coalition for taking action in support of this bill. We are eager to get to work educating members of the CA State Legislature and all stakeholders on these important reforms.”

“It is just wrong that every Californian is protected by Seven Year Statute - except recording artists who are stuck in inequitable contracts” said Irving Azoff, Founder of the Music Artists Coalition. “We will not stand for this any longer, and are proud to fight alongside Assemblymember Kalra, SAG-AFTRA, Black Music Action Coalition and the California Federation of Labor to make the FAIR Act a reality.”

“All workers, including entertainment and recording industry artists, deserve fair terms and conditions of employment,” said Assemblymember Ash Kalra. “We need to move away from contract terms that are overly restrictive, antiquated, and unnecessarily punitive towards workers. This bill (AB 2926) does just that by ensuring that workers in these industries are not tied to near decade long contracts or unfairly prohibited from working for multiple employers.”

“No worker should be prevented from earning a decent living as a result of anti-competitive practices, but that’s exactly what’s happening to many artists,” said California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski. “Studios and record labels are causing real harm to the livelihoods of workers by keeping them from taking jobs they need. The FAIR Act would put a stop to these devastating practices, ensuring artists have the freedom and flexibility to pursue opportunities they desire. This legislation is a high priority for the California Labor Federation and workers in all industries across the state.”

“Young people of color, often from financially disadvantaged neighborhoods, sign record contracts in search of their dreams, but wake up in a nightmare where they have no freedom and are paid pennies while labels make billions,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder/co-chair of Black Music Action Coalition. “All we're asking for is fairness.” 

The FAIR Act will be heard in the California State Assembly in the Committee on Labor and Employment and the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media. Read the full text of the legislation HERE. 

Sign up to support the FAIR Act and for updates HERE. 

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.