Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1012073
For Members N E W S , I N F O R M AT I O N A N D B E N E F I T S 16 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2018 | sagaftra.org A t its meeting on July 21, the SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously approved the historic first-ever tentative agreement reached with Telemundo Television Studios on July 12 covering Spanish-language television performers. "This first contract creates a solid foundation from which to build and speaks to the fact that we all deserve strong protections and respect," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. Terms of the approved agreement came after 15 months of negotiations that followed a vote by Telemundo performers to unionize on March 8, 2017. "I could not be more thrilled about our first-ever contract with Telemundo. I am grateful to our negotiating committee and staff for their hard work and determination in pulling this multiyear effort together. I would like to thank in particular our lead negotiator for the Telemundo agreement, our Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator David White. Telemundo is the largest employer of Spanish-language talent in the United States and the board approved the agreement by acclamation. The agreement with Telemundo is effective immediately. Among the key elements of the new three- year deal are: • Contributions to and participation in the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and SAG-Producers Pension Plan for the first time. • Residuals for both foreign and domestic exploitation and streaming platforms, based on a percentage of Telemundo's gross receipts. • First-ever guaranteed minimum rates for all covered performer categories, including actors, stunt performers, singers and dancers. • Annual increases in all newly established minimums between 1 and 2 percent per year. • Substantially upgraded minimum rates for day players after the ninth day of work on any production. • Newly established working conditions and safety protections, including minimum rest period between calls of 10 hours; a requirement for qualified personnel to coordinate stunts; provisions regarding the protection of minors; and overtime, holiday pay and per diem when on location. SAG Life Achievement honoree Rita Moreno celebrated the tenacity of union members who made this first contract a reality. "Fabulous! My heartiest congratulations to my fellow performers, the Telemundo actors who, through exhaustive hard work, along with SAG-AFTRA, my union, have achieved a historic and welcome first contract! A new beginning for our Spanish-language performers in the United States. SAG-AFTRA unidos. I am thrilled. ¡Que viva!" SAG-AFTRA, TELEMUNDO REACH HISTORIC AGREEMENT Members of SAG-AFTRA's Telemundo Negotiating Committee and staff celebrate the first-ever television agreement with Telemundo Television Studios. SAG-AFTRA