Wages & Working Conditions: Time to Get Involved

One of SAG-AFTRA’s largest contracts is the Commercials Contract, which represents over $1 billion in annual earnings for union members. SAG-AFTRA bargains with the Joint Policy Committee, also known as the JPC who represent advertisers and advertising agencies in collectively bargaining the terms and conditions that govern the employment of performers in commercials. 

In preparation for upcoming negotiations, a first step is for the union to hold open and category specific meetings for active, paid-up membership. Known as the Wages & Working Conditions (W&W) process, members are invited to participate. It is only through the involvement of members that proposals for this vital negotiation are developed. Members’ comments, observations and feedback inform the Commercial Negotiating Committee on priorities and educate union staff on how members would like to see the contract work. 
                                       
There are five ways to members can make their voices heard: 

• Commercials Contracts Caucuses - Join fellow members to discuss what really matters! Open to all paid-up SAG-AFTRA members, the caucuses are an opportunity for members to express any issue that should be addressed in the upcoming negotiations. Input from the caucuses directly affects the proposals formed by the Wages & Working Conditions Committees. 

• Wages & Working Conditions Committee Meetings - These more formal meetings use the information and ideas gathered from the caucuses to create proposals for the contract negotiations. All interested working commercials performers are welcome to participate in the L.A. Local W&W committee. Young performers are welcome with their parents. The usual schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. over an approximately six-week period. Please check the SAG-AFTRA website for specific dates.

• Constituent Committee Meetings - If you are a member of one of our category-specific committees (e.g., National or Local Background Committee, National or Local Stunt Committee, National or Local Singers Committee, etc.), stay tuned: These committees will begin deliberating on the upcoming Commercials negotiations shortly.

• Email Suggestions – If members cannot make it to a caucus or committee meeting, they can still play an active part by emailing ideas to commercialswandw@sagaftra.org. All recommendations will be reviewed by the Wages & Working Conditions Committee. 

• On-Site Suggestion Box - Boxes will be placed in the SAG-AFTRA seventh-floor reception desk at 5757 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. Feel free to drop off your contract-related thoughts and concerns. 

It is imperative that as many members as possible participate in this process to ensure the strongest position for negotiations.