SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris Video Statement on 2020 TV/Theatrical Contract

LOS ANGELES – In a new video released by SAG-AFTRA today, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris highlights gains in wages, residuals, benefits and sexual harassment protections in the new TV/Theatrical agreement and encourages members to cast their vote by 5 p.m. PDT July 22, 2020.  Members should visit sagaftra.org/contracts2020 for more information. The video can be viewed above or HERE. 

VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION: President Gabrielle Carteris on 2020 TV/Theatrical Contract 

Hi everybody.

I'm Gabrielle Carteris, President of SAG-AFTRA. 

Well, it's my pleasure to finally be able to talk about good news for a change, actually really good news. 

You know, even though most of our industry has been shut down for months, we've been hard at work in TV/Theatrical contract negotiations with the producers. 

Essentially, we were negotiating for our future. And we did it. 

SAG-AFTRA achieved a strong, forward-thinking contract that's going to help so many of our members for generations to come. 

Now to lock in those gains, we're asking you to please use your voice and vote yes. 

You'll be getting a postcard in the mail with instructions on how to vote here. 

But let's talk about what we achieved. We secured huge gains in wages, in health plan contributions, in our pension plans. 

In fact, this is the most lucrative deal we have ever negotiated. And it's valued at $318 million over the three year term of the contract. That's an extra $318 million in members' pockets. 

But more importantly this deal, it sets up for our long-term future by securing a substantial 26% increase in fixed streaming residuals. 

26% increase. Improving the formula across the board to better reflect the current reality of entertainment. 

And it wasn't just about money. It was about demanding more safety for women and men. 

We made incredibly important advancements like securing a 48 hour notice provision for nudity and simulated sex. 

Background Performers included. 

And speaking of Background Performers, starting in year two of the contract, we secured an additional covered background role in episodic TV shows in the west coast zone. 

So, if you want to see more details about the terrific gains we got, I urge you to visit sagaftra.org/contracts2020. 

That's sagaftra.org/contracts2020. And you know, people who study this deal they say it's an amazing accomplishment during a global pandemic and economic upheaval. But you know what I say? I say it's an amazing accomplishment no matter the time or circumstances. Because with all of these successes and more, this contract will keep our union strong for years to come.

So please, join me in voting yes. Thank you.

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.