Travel Waiver Expires

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the 500-mile travel waiver will no longer be available to TV/Theatrical signatory producers. The waiver was restricted to day performers (Schedule A) on an overnight location who were not otherwise working on a travel day and were located within 500 miles of the production. 

The Chicago Local Board met over the summer and voted to sunset the waiver. It is believed the travel provisions negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement should be applied equally to all members, regardless of their location. 

Before eliminating the travel waiver, producers were provided relief from the payment of travel time (salary) on days when performers traveled and no other work was performed. All other travel protections for performers working on an overnight location followed the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

The 2017 Memorandum of Agreement, Payment for Travel Time for Television Productions states, “(1) Travel at the Commencement of and End of Performer's Engagement When Performer is Not Otherwise Paid for the Day 

“Whenever a performer (other than a performer engaged under a series or term contract) is required by the producer at the commencement of or end of the performer’s engagement to travel to or from an overnight location on a day (other than on the seventh day of the performer’s workweek or a holiday in the case of travel from an overnight location) and the performer is not otherwise paid for the day, the time spent so traveling shall not be work time; instead, producer shall pay the performer a travel allowance of $500 per day (no fringe) for the day of travel and thereafter in the case of travel at the commencement of the performer’s engagement, an idle day allowance of $100 per day (no fringe), for up to two (2) days after the travel day, at which time his or her salary shall commence. No separate per diem shall be required on a day on which a travel or idle day allowance is paid. A performer who travels earlier than required by the producer shall not be entitled to any travel or idle day allowance. No travel or idle day allowance is owed when a performer travels to or from an audition, interview or test.”

As a reminder, there is no designation of “modified regional hire” under our agreements. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to chicago@sagaftra.org.