Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1186820
For Members 18 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2019 | sagaftra.org T he SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously approved and ratified a music video agreement at its Oct. 14–15 meeting in Los Angeles following the union's four-day biennial convention. The meeting was the first with the newly elected board members and vice presidents. The new, three-year deal achieves important economic and safety gains for performers working in music videos. The agreement is effective from May 1, 2019, through April 30, 2022. The major labels party to the agreement are Warner Records, Atlantic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Capitol Records and Hollywood Records (Disney). "I am proud to be part of the team that helped achieve this contract, which includes new set minimums, protections against sexual harassment and better wages for background performers," said Negotiating Committee Chair and Dancer Committee National Vice Chair Danielle Towne. "This agreement will ensure that music videos can remain creative while the performers that bring them to life feel safe." Highlights of the Music Video Agreement include: • Adding a $500 minimum (12-hour day) to the $50,000–$100,000 tier. • Making the prorated eight-hour day for the above $100,000–$150,000 tier permanent. • Increasing the daily rate for existing dancer minimums by 3% upon ratification, with an additional 3% starting May 1, 2020, and a 2.5% increase in the third year. • Establishing a minimum rate for background nationwide, pegged at 10% above applicable minimum wage. • Requiring that a stunt coordinator be engaged when aerial acrobatics and non-dance stunts are to be performed. • Including language addressing sexual harassment prevention. • Including a brand-new nudity rider that defines nudity with considerations to the special requirements and culture of music video production. In other business, the National Board also approved a negotiating committee and wages & working conditions process for the Corporate, Educational & Non- Broadcast Contract. In addition, President Gabrielle Carteris announced the finalized planning for SAG-AFTRA's new digital media facilities and on-camera lab located at the national headquarters office at SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles (see story, page 54). NATIONAL BOARD APPROVES MUSIC VIDEO AGREEMENT SAG AWARDS VOTING AND ELECTION ELIGIBILITY REMINDER I n order to meet the November dues period good-standing eligibility requirement to be nominated for election as a national officer, National Board member, local board member or convention delegate, members should ensure that their November 2019 dues bill payment is received by SAG-AFTRA no later than Dec. 10, 2019. Payments received after Dec. 10, 2019, may affect your eligibility to vote, nominate and run in elections, and participate in referenda. Timely payment entitles you to participate in union activities and receive member benefits, and also ensures that you will not be charged late payment fees. If you have not yet submitted a payment, we urge you to make payment of your dues right away through one of our convenient payment options, including our online payment system at sagaftra.org. For questions regarding eligibility, please contact SAG-AFTRA at (323) 549-6614. DUES DEADLINES TO REMEMBER! > DEC. 2 Dues must be received by this date for SAG Awards ® voter eligibility and For Your Consideration offers. > DEC. 10 Dues for the November dues period must be received by this date to meet the good-standing eligibility requirement for elections. S AG-AFTRA has partnered with SeeHer, the Association of National Advertisers' movement for gender equality in advertising and media. SeeHer supports authentic female character development in a variety of ways, such as the #WriteHerRight tip sheet, which facilitates conversation about gender equality by bringing effective, story-building language and tools into the writers' rooms. This initiative is expanding to include a deeper emphasis on intersectionality and increase the targeted efforts to address the unique challenges that marginalized women and girls face in media portrayals. The partnership will enhance that outreach via a social media effort called #IWasWrittenRight for actors to use to share examples of female characters they have portrayed who they feel reflected the nuance and complexity of women in real life. The union will also collaborate on co-hosting Salon Days and SAG-AFTRA SeeHer Days. SAG-AFTRA TEAMS UP WITH ANA TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY