SAG-AFTRA National Board Meets via Videoconference

The SAG-AFTRA National Board met Saturday in a scheduled one-day videoconference plenary. The board approved the 2022 Commercials Negotiations Proposal Package in advance of bargaining scheduled to commence on Feb. 15 in New York. The proposals are confidential and will not be disclosed. 

President Fran Drescher applauded the negotiating committee members for its hard work.“I am so impressed by the dedication and intellect of the negotiating committee that painstakingly put together this proposal package, which really addresses the needs of commercial actors and pushes the needle forward.”

National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who is chief negotiator for the agreement, said, “I’m excited to lead the commercials negotiations and serve as chief negotiator on this important agreement. Negotiating strong contracts is the key to our success as a union, and ensuring the growth of employment opportunities under our commercials contracts is a priority for SAG-AFTRA.”

The union's immediate past president Gabrielle Carteris chairs the member negotiating committee and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez is lead negotiator. 

The board also reviewed administrative, finance and governance matters, and received reports including: 
 
President’s Report
Drescher opened with a remembrance of members who have passed away since the last National Board meeting. 

The president reported on efforts to continue safely building and expanding the profession of Intimacy Coordinators and announced the appointment of members to the National Sexual Harassment Committee. She also provided a preview of the union’s efforts on green sustainability and the establishment of a seniors-in-crisis relief fund in cooperation with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

Drescher also reported on ongoing legislative efforts including the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) — which included SAG-AFTRA member Gloria Estefan’s testimony earlier this week before the House Judiciary Committee — and updates on the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). 
 
National Executive Director’s Report
Crabtree-Ireland provided an update on the union’s operations and upcoming initiatives, including negotiations, contract and organizing gains, member engagement and legislative efforts. He also highlighted the union's strategic efforts to enhance member service by replenishing staff lost due to pandemic resource conservation.

Crabtree-Ireland showcased SAG-AFTRA’s innovations and improvements developed internally to automate operations, including the online cast clearance portal, which has been used to clear 35,143 performers since launch. He also noted the success of an online joining system, through which 85% of new members have joined since its August 2020 launch. He cited impressive member engagement, with more than 55,000 unique podcast downloads, nearly 260,000 YouTube video views, almost 14 million webpage views and more than 30 million social impressions. 

He also reported on gains in contracts and organizing efforts, including a recent partnership with the Hip Hop Alliance, as well as contract enforcement successes, one being a residuals library claim that resulted in $8 million in payouts to performers. 
 
Contracts Report
Rodriguez reviewed the proposed Commercials Contracts negotiations package.
 
Finance Report
Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto reported that both revenue and expenses are tracking better than planned for the second quarter.

Ozzanto presented an overview of new members for fiscal year 2022 showing a significant increase in new members and initiation fee revenue compared to fiscal year 2021.

The board approved a Finance Committee recommendation to hold initiation fees at their current rates. To further enhance member services, the board also voted to allow an automatic increase of 2% in annual base dues from $222.96 to $227.42 effective May 1, 2022.

Legal and Governance Reports
Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair, General Counsel Jeffrey P. Bennett and Chief Governance and Equity & Inclusion Officer Michelle Bennett reported on various legal and governance matters. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 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.