SAG-AFTRA

Spring 2015

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SAGAFTRA.org | Spring 2015 | SAG-AFTRA 19 films made for initial use to the general public, schools, conventions, seminars, museums, in retail stores and for Internet use. It also covers audio-only content, such as telephone messages and audio used in consumer products. It brings together two legacy SAG and AFTRA contracts as a result of the merger of the unions in March 2012. The legacy contracts were jointly negotiated in April 2011 and set to expire on April 30, following a one- year extension in 2013. Network Television Code In January, SAG-AFTRA members voted 96.5 percent in favor of a new 2014 SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (Network Television Code) via online voting and through requested paper ballots. Negotiations on the new three-and- a-half year contract with the major television networks and studios who produce programming covered by the Code began on Nov. 3 in Sherman Oaks, California. Ballots were mailed to approximately 132,000 members. The contract term runs Nov. 16, 2014 to June 30, 2018. The new contract includes increases in contract minimums over a three- and-a-half-year period, including an 8.7-percent overall wage increase to most program fees, implemented through increases of 2.5 percent the first year, 3 percent the second year and 3 percent the third year. Increases were also made to performers working on serials (soap operas), extra rehearsal and overtime rates for all categories of performers, stand-in rates and wages for news inserts/news services fees. The agreement also included expanding the ability for stunt coordinators to work under the contract and, for the first time, a premium payment for solo/duo singers for multi-tracking and sweetening. Members working under the contract also received an increase in contributions to the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds of 0.5 percent, starting in year one. Contracts continued from page 11 Continues on page 55 La Anthony and Jake Johnson, along with director Steve McQueen and producer Will Packer. Howard recalled his experiences as an educator and mentor, and reflected that, when it comes to mentoring, learning is a two-way street. "I have been fortunate to have been able to foster the next generations of entertainment professionals at Harvard and Amherst," Howard said. "And if there's one thing I have learned over my career and my time in the classroom — on both sides of the lectern — it's that we are all students. There is always more to learn. "The students here today reflect all the reasons I am committed to this endeavor. I see creativity, enthusiasm, passion and vision, and it makes me excited for the future of the entertainment industry. And it is why SAG-AFTRA is answering the president's Call to Arts," he said. The timing was perfect for the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement to spring into action. Using its nationwide network of resources, the union will mobilize members and leadership, and dedicate existing educational seminars, outreach efforts, conservatory programs and classes to the effort, resulting in an immediate addition of tens of thousands of additional mentor hours and opportunities. In the summer, the union will partner with the American Film Institute to offer a three-day mentoring event on the campus of the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles, and AFI will encourage its 350,000 subscribers to participate in SAG-AFTRA's mentor programs. The Screen Actors Guild Foundation will also join the campaign through its BookPALS program, The Business seminars, Storyline Online videos, and a host of other mentoring programs offered live, online and via live stream nationwide. Find out more at serve.gov/acalltoarts. JONAH KOCH X2

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