The Skinny on Meal Periods for Principal Performers

The SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement held the Meals & NDBs for TV/Theatrical Principal Performers livestream on May 10. Leading the discussion was SAG-AFTRA National Director, Entertainment Contracts Jessica Johnson, with SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Actors/Performers William Charlton serving as moderator. 

Johnson opened with a presentation that explained the basic contract terms regarding meal periods as defined by the union’s scripted television, theatrical and new media agreements. Topics included how the agreements determine when meal periods take place and the differences between them and other provisions, including grace periods and non-deductible meal breaks, or NDBs. 

Following the presentation was a Q&A session. Johnson offered advice about making dietary restrictions known to productions, tracking meal periods and details to keep in mind when filing a claim. 

“If you find you weren’t given appropriate meal breaks, they weren’t long enough or they didn’t happen [within the first six hours on set], definitely reach out to the union to start the claim [inquiry] process,” said Johnson. “There is a statute of limitations on claims for principal performers that’s six months from the date of occurrence. So, unfortunately, if your meal break was violated two years ago, it’s too late to file. But if your meal break was violated three months ago, we definitely want to hear from you.”

The presentation is available for replay below: 

Other PTEOE workshops, panels and interviews are available at sagaftra.org/videos.