SAG-AFTRA Seattle and Portland Locals Announce New Corporate/Educational Waiver Agreement

The SAG-AFTRA Seattle and Portland Locals are pleased to announce the implementation of a waiver to the 2015 SAG-AFTRA National Corporate/Educational and Non-Broadcast Agreement. The waiver or Special Performance Contract (SPC), which goes into effect immediately for a three-year period, is designed to capture more union work in the Pacific Northwest Region by reducing restrictions on non-signatory producers and provide more generous terms of employment.

The waiver, which is available on a One Production Only (OPO) basis to producers who are not currently signatories to the National Agreement, will allow for the use of a mix of professional and non-professional performers, providing more flexible compensation packages. This is intended to provide greater incentive to “turn jobs union” by making these projects more affordable to producers, while at the same time allowing them to create better-quality productions.

By creating a more flexible, more affordable structure for working with our members, our goal is to not only provide more employment opportunities, but to serve as a basis for establishing long-term relationships with these producers in the corporate/educational field.

Local staff will be tasked with monitoring the waiver for compliance, as well as for tracking results. At the end of the three year trial period a review will be conducted to gauge effectiveness and determine whether an extension of the terms is warranted.

Seattle Local staff will be reaching out to members of the industry, including franchised talent agents, casting directors, and other interested stakeholders over the next several weeks to communicate details of the waiver/SPC, and to answer questions.