Important meeting Thursday to review gains in the new Sound Recordings Code.
Dear Member,
On behalf of the SAG-AFTRA Executive Committee and the Sound Recordings Code Negotiating Committee, we are writing to recommend that you vote YES to ratify the Sound Recordings Code.
All eligible affected members were mailed a postcard today with instructions and a PIN number on how to vote online or how to request a paper ballot. If necessary, you can retrieve your PIN at the voting website by clicking “Find My PIN.”
The new agreement covers the period starting January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2026. The leading record labels covered by the agreement include Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Disney Music Group and most of their subsidiary labels.
We urge you to read through all the materials regarding this contract, as well as attend our informational Zoom town hall this Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1 PT/ 3 CT/ 4 ET where we will further explain details. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about the agreement. RSVP here. As you will read, this agreement establishes, for the first time, collective bargaining guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry, assuring singers and recording artists of ethical and responsible treatment when A.I. is used. It also ensures that our members’ contributions are protected. The essence of music must always be rooted in genuine human expression, and we look forward to working alongside our industry partners to foster an environment where innovation serves to elevate, not diminish, the unique value of each artist’s contribution.
The artificial intelligence guardrails take effect immediately upon ratification. The terms “artist,” “singer,” and “royalty artist,” under this agreement only include humans. In this agreement, clear and conspicuous consent, along with minimum compensation requirements and specific details of intended use, are required prior to the release of a sound recording that uses a digital replication of an artist’s voice.
Additional highlights among the contract gains include increased minimums, with a compounded total wage increase of 26.3% over the term, and health and retirement improvements, including a general contribution rate increase and an increase in the percentage of streaming revenue to be covered by contributions, which will reach 100% on December 31, 2026, among other gains.
THE SOUND RECORDINGS CODE ACHIEVES THESE MEMBER GAINS
- Compounded total wage increase of 26.3% over the term of the agreement.
- 14.5% - first Monday of the month after ratification.
- 3.75% - January 1, 2025.
- 3.25% - January 1, 2026.
- 3% - December 31, 2026.
- First-ever collectively bargained guardrails to ensure ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the music industry. The terms “artist,” “singer,” and “royalty artist” under this agreement only include humans.
- Clear and conspicuous consent, with reasonably specific details of the intended use, is required prior to the release of a sound recording using digital replication of an artist’s voice.
- First-ever explicitly defined compensation requirements for the release of a sound recording containing a synthetic vocal performance using GAI.
- General health and pension plan contribution rate increase of 0.5% to 13.5% effective January 1, 2025. (Streaming will remain at 13%)
- Percentage of streaming revenue covered by contributions will increase from 50% to 75% on January 1, 2025, and again from 75% to 100% on December 31, 2026.
- Payments for blanket licensing of a label catalog will be set to match the payment for streaming use.
We applaud the negotiating committee and staff’s tireless efforts to secure these essential gains for members, and we encourage you to review the information about the contract and attend our informational meeting on Thursday, April 18. RSVP here. If you have any additional questions, you can email soundrecordings2024@sagaftra.org or call the contract hotline at (323) 549-6742.
Once you have reviewed the terms in this contract, we think you’ll agree that it is worthy of your YES vote. The deadline for all ballots to be received, whether submitted online or by mail, is 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
In unity,
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator
Dan Navarro, Sound Recordings Code Negotiating Committee Chair
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.