Update from SAG-AFTRA, Music Artists Coalition, Black Music Action Coalition, California Labor Federation and Songwriters of North America on the CA FAIR Act

LOS ANGELES - After many conversations with legislators and our label and studio counterparts, the artists and unions have agreed to bifurcate the two critical issues in AB 2926 (Kalra), the Fair Act. Although there are two issues, they both reflect an imbalance of power and equity, and one thing remains clear: they must be addressed. Recording artists must get reprise from one-sided, never-ending agreements, and actors must escape the exclusive holds that keep them from working when they want to work. The engagement and passion from the creative community makes it certain that these issues will not go away until there is a solution.

The unions and artists will advocate passionately for these two vital bills. We look forward to continuing to educate the Assembly and the Senate about the need to address these pressing concerns. They are critical to the continued success of these industries in California. California succeeds when the artists and employers in our industries work together.

We thank the bill’s author, Assemblymember Kalra, and the members of the Assembly Labor & Employment Committee, as well as Assemblymember Boerner Horvath and the members of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, & Internet Media Committee for their thoughtful consideration of this issue, and for recognizing that solutions will only come if the dialogue is able to continue in earnest.

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.