Labor & Employment Law

SAG and AFTRA Approve New Three-Year Deal

By James Parks

Members of the Screen Actors (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract covering theatrical and television production workers.

The two unions jointly negotiated the agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Overall, more than 93 percent of SAG and AFTRA members who cast ballots voted in favor of the contract, SAG and AFTRA said in a statement.

The new contract includes a 2 percent per year wage increase, and a 10 percent increase in the current rate of employer contributions paid to the respective pension and health plans, one of the members’ top priorities, the unions said. 

SAG President Ken Howard said:

 The success of the referendum is a huge boon for members in terms of pension and health care contributions.

 AFTRA President Roberta Reardon agreed:

 This ratification is a win for union members and it is a critical victory for our health and retirement plans.

 The new agreement also includes:

• Expanded provisionsfor major roles in pay television series beginning in their second season.
• Expanded union coverage for productions made for new media.
• Improved contract language to increase equal employment opportunities for union performers.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on January 19, 2011 (boomark / email).