Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/422151
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 | Fall 2014 | SAGAFTRA.org S AG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White has been signed to a new four-year contract, extending his tenure as the union's top staff member. At its October plenary, the SAG-AFTRA National Board voted to approve the new contract, which is set to expire Oct. 12, 2018. White previously served as general counsel for SAG from 2002-2006. He was made interim national executive director of Screen Actors Guild in January 2009 and appointed as NED later that year, dropping the "interim" from his title. He remained in the position after SAG and AFTRA merged in 2012. "This job presents new challenges every day and I am thrilled to continue in my role at SAG-AFTRA," White said. "It's an honor to represent SAG-AFTRA members and I look forward to continuing the great work we have accomplished to date." SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard said, "I'm so pleased that we were able to secure a long-term commitment from David. He is a formidable strategic thinker and an outstanding executive. David is equally committed to wisely shepherding our operations and to ensuring good wages and safe working conditions for our members. We are lucky to have him and know we will continue to benefit from his leadership." National Executive Director David White DAVID WHITE TO CONTINUE AS NED "He is equally committed to wisely shepherding our operations and to ensuring good wages and safe working conditions for our members." — Ken Howard, SAG-AFTRA President NETWORK TV CODE UPDATE A t its meetings on Oct. 11 and 12, the SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously approved proposals for the Network Television Code negotiations. The National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, also known as the Network Television Code, covers syndicated dramatic programs, daytime serials, promotional announcements, variety, quiz, game, reality, talk, news, sports and other non- dramatic programs. The proposal package is confidential. Negotiations with the networks commenced on Nov. 3 at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California. The current contract expired Nov. 15. SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard chairs the contracts negotiations and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White serves as the union's chief negotiator. The approval of the package follows the meeting of the SAG-AFTRA National Network Television Code Wages & Working Conditions Committee of 13 voting members and 10 alternates that also serve as the negotiating committee. The committee approved the proposal negotiation package for presentation to the National Board. Howard served as the national chair for the W&W committee. ANIMATION CONTRACT OK'D T he SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously ratified the recently negotiated 2014 SAG-AFTRA TV Animation Agreement and SAG-AFTRA Basic Cable Animation Agreement at its Oct. 11-12 plenary. The new contracts, which go into effect immediately, are retroactive to July 1, 2014, and will run through June 30, 2017. The new agreement includes: • Pay raises of 8.7 percent, compounded over the next three years, retroactive to Oct. 1; • Increased contributions to Pension & Health/Health & Retirement Funds; • Consolidated the SAG and AFTRA standalone deals into one SAG-AFTRA Animation Agreement; • A reduction in unpaid free streaming windows; and • A brand-new residual from free, on- demand viewing through your cable box. Negotiations lasted three days, concluding on Sept. 9 and were directed for the union by lead negotiator and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez and Assistant National Executive Director, Contracts Joan Halpern Weise. The Negotiating Committee was chaired by Bob Bergen.