Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/184869
"Inspired by self-preservation, the parties recognized industrywide issues and discovered innovative ways to address them. The reward: a mutually beneficial agreement providing stability for the industry and growth opportunities for SAG-AFTRA members." Know the Contract — Co-Lead Negotiator Mathis Dunn SAG-AFTRA has created a series of helpful videos to familiarize members with aspects of the Commercials Contracts. Among the topics covered are how to calculate overtime, when a performer is due a cancellation fee and how payment works for PSAs. You'll learn that: COMMERCIALS IN SPANISH The Commercials Contracts have achieved gains in the rapidly growing area of Spanishlanguage television ads. The contract calls for a 10-percent increase to program rates and a 5-percent increase in wild spot rates, in addition to the 6-percent across-the-board wage increase. Since Spanish-language ads are allowed unlimited use for 13 weeks, the increases in the contract are a step toward fairer payment to members who act in these types of commercials. "There has been a lot of frustration with many actors feeling that they're not compensated properly. Many wish that Spanish-language was paid as regular Class A," said negotiating committee member Ana Lilia. "I feel that this increase will make the actors feel that they are valued." Fellow committee member Arturo Castillo applauded the gains and hopes it will spur more members to get involved in their union. "It was very gratifying to see that there were some major inroads made in this particular aspect of the contract. One can only hope that due to this, the membership becomes increasingly aware that the concerns that they may have on any specific part of the contract can be addressed if they become involved," Castillo said. PROGRAM RATES increase 10% WILD SPOT RATES increase 5% COMERCIALES EN ESPAÑOL Los contratos de comerciales han logrado avances en los comerciales de televisión en español, un área que continúa creciendo rápidamente. El contrato contiene un aumento de 10 por ciento en los "program rates" y un aumento de 5 por ciento en los "wild spots", además del aumento del 6 por ciento en todos los salarios. Dado que los comerciales en español pueden ir al aire ilimitadamente durante 13 semanas, los aumentos en el contrato son un paso hacia el pago justo a los miembros que actúan en este tipo de comerciales. "Ha habido gran frustración con muchos actores que piensan que no se les paga adecuadamente. Muchos desean que los comerciales en español sean pagados como "Class A" regular, dijo Ana Lilia, miembro del Comité de Negociación. "Creo que este aumento hará que los actores se sientan valorados." Arturo Castillo, compañero del Comité, aplaudió las ganancias y espera que esto estimule a más miembros a participar en su unión. "Fue muy gratificante ver que hubo varios avances importantes en este aspecto particular del contrato. Sólo cabe esperar que debido a esto, los miembros estén cada vez más conscientes de que se pueden tratar las inquietudes que puedan tener de cualquier parte específica del contrato si participan activamente en la unión", dijo Castillo. • A principal performer is entitled to residuals and may not be downgraded as long as their face remains in the final edit of the commercial. • For commercials, the producer has 12 business days to process the performer's session payment and send it out. • For extras, there is an allowance for working in wet and/or snowy conditions, as well as work in smoke and dust. It will be added to the performer's base pay. Find out more at SAGAFTRA.org/sag-aftra-tv SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 29