SAG-AFTRA National Board Overwhelmingly Approves Commercials Contracts Deal

At its regularly scheduled, two-day, in person plenary, SAG-AFTRA’s National Board overwhelmingly approved the 2025 Commercials Contracts tentative agreements reached with the Joint Policy Committee on April 12. The agreements will now be submitted to the membership for ratification.

One-year streaming use fees have been increased by up to 33.33% to keep stride with the transforming advertising industry and paid YouTube.com use now commands a 12% increase over the current Traditional Digital rates — a restructuring that reflects its rise as a premium platform.

The deal is valued at an increase of $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions over three years.  

If ratified, the agreements would provide compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 5% in year one, 4% in year two, and 3% in year three. 

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said, “A huge congratulations goes out to the Commercials Contracts negotiating committee for their diligent work in this agreement which is an important step forward for protecting the stability of performers’ livelihoods during this time of major technological upheavals in the ad industry. The Committee was co-chaired by Katie Von Till and Erin Fritch who led with strength, wisdom, intellect and patience. Brava ladies! The Commercials Contracts are a real powerhouse when it comes to addressing tech with more A.I. protections than any contract so far! Well done!”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “This deal, hard-won thanks to an incredibly dedicated negotiating committee, achieves real wage growth and puts rules and a price tag on digital replica use — essential progress for a changing industry. I’m thrilled the National Board has approved this forward-thinking agreement and that members will now have a chance to review its many gains. I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to our extraordinary and courageous negotiating committee, especially co-chairs Erin Fritch and Katie Von Till, and the best co-lead negotiator anyone could ask for, SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez.”

Other highlights from the deal include:

• Performers’ data can’t be used to train A.I. without consent.
• Performer consent is required before any digital replica is created.
• Use of a digital replica to generate a performance requires informed consent and  triggers a 1.5x session fee plus applicable holding and use fees.
• Provisions that ensure a level playing field in generative A.I. and remove economic advantages to the use of synthetic performers.
• The total pension and health contribution rate is raised from 20.5% to 23.5%, subject to a waiver reduction for JPC authorizers to 19.95%.
• An initiative to develop an automated commercial use monitoring service.
• Created a new extra zone and preference of employment for Austin, TX.
• Disability accommodation(s) must be offered, in writing, at the time of engagement.
• Dramatic improvements in protections for minor performers.
• Late fee penalties have been strengthened and streamlined.
• Per diems are required to be paid on the first day of work and/or travel.
• Dancers who are asked to lip-synch now earn an extra 25% of session.
• Singer wage increases for non-air demos.
• A brand new digital structure in the Audio Commercials Contract. 

The current contracts remain in effect during the member ratification process. 

Member informational meetings are being scheduled and additional details will be available at sagaftra.org/commercials2025 in the coming days. 

Eligible SAG-AFTRA members will have until 5 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 to cast their vote on ratification. 

In other business, the board received update reports including:

President’s Report
As is customary, President Drescher began her report with a memoriam honoring members who have passed away since the last board meeting with a verbal reading of their names.

She also reported on her advocacy work in Washington, DC, including the Congressional press conference to reintroduce the NO FAKES Act, and several legislative office visits. Drescher also spoke out on the video game strike saying that the “employers’ refusal to bargain fair terms for performers in A.I. is unacceptable.” Drescher further asserted that “our fight is a fight for humanity, creativity and artistry.”

National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator’s Report
National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Crabtree-Ireland reported on continuing negotiations on the Interactive Media Agreements (video games contracts) thanking IMA negotiations committee chair Sarah Elmaleh on her leadership and dedication to the best interests of game performers. Crabtree-Ireland further reported that after more than 9 months on strike, the union has signed over 195 games to its interim agreement and tiered budget independent agreement and dozens more to the new Student and Game Jam waivers, providing access to performers on hundreds of independent titles. And, in breaking news, Crabtree-Ireland revealed that a new Interim Agreement with updated terms will be offered to independent game developers and producers. As with the current interim agreement, the new interim agreement will include fair and meaningful provisions for A.I. use in video games.

Crabtree-Ireland reported on his recent successful trip to Washington, DC, where he and President Drescher appeared at the NO FAKES Act 2025 reintroduction press conference and met with congressional and administration representatives to urge bipartisan support for the Act.

Crabtree-Ireland called on General Counsel Jeffrey Bennett to provide an update on the work of his government affairs and public policy team and the next steps for passage of the NO FAKES Act. 

Crabtree-Ireland also provided updates on activities and events at the union’s 25 locals in markets across the country. Additionally, he reported on union operations citing continuing achievements in negotiations, organizing, contracts enforcement, member service, business innovation and communications and marketing.

Executive Vice President Linda Powell chaired the balance of the Board meeting.

Finance Report
Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto reviewed year-to-date finances for the current fiscal year, noting that the union has remained stable despite market instability. They also presented the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which the Board voted to approve unanimously. 

Contracts Report
NED and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez and National Director, Commercials & Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contracts Tracy Hyman presented the commercials tentative agreement for review by the Board.  The deal, which includes significant improvements across several categories, was overwhelmingly approved.

Governance Report
Chief Governance and Equity and Inclusion Officer Michelle Bennett updated the Board on a number of governance and administrative matters including rules for the 2025 Convention which the Board voted to approve unanimously.

The Board also received a recommendation regarding the establishment of an influencer and digital creator committee. The Board approved the recommendation unanimously moving to provide crucial protections, support and representation for the influencer community by establishing the National Influencer and Digital Creator Committee, which will be chaired by creator Patrick Janelle. 

Populated with members who are actively engaged in digital creator work, the committee will focus on the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities faced by digital creators, and will inform the union’s efforts to assist creators in their pursuit of stable, safe, sustainable careers.  As the entertainment, advertising, and media industries continue to evolve and embrace creator-led content, SAG-AFTRA is committed to serving the talent that powers the creator. 

Legal Report
The Board also received a confidential report on legal matters. 

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 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.