Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/879767
Contracts continued from page 19 residuals to performers within their rst two years when their work is exhibited worldwide on etix. SAG-AFTRA achieved a historic breakthrough in the rules governing travel for television performers, including an up to vefold increase in the relocation fees due to series performers who work at locations away from home. The travel rules for television have been rationalized and claried, closing many loopholes and ambiguities that have allowed for abuse. Series performer option rules were greatly improved, with the effect of reducing exclusivity periods for many series performers during which they can be held off the market. In an unprecedented breakthrough, the new deal improves the overtime provisions for background actors working in the West Coast Zones so that they match New York standards while protecting against the attempted removal of night premiums in the ew ork one. Additionally, the committee improved the pay rate for photo doubles and achieved superior terms for background actors employed under The CW Supplement. The committee also secured an additional 5-percent increase in the rst year of the contract for stunt coordinators working under at deal contracts in television. Additionally, there is a rst-year increase of one-half percent in the contribution rate applicable to the SAG Pension Plan and the AFTRA Retirement Fund, bringing the total benets contribution rate to . percent. The union may also elect to convert an additional one-half percent from the wage package in each of the second and third years. Debunking Travel Myths In the run-up to the ratication, there was a proliferation of misinformation, particularly around the area of travel. The new contract delivers: • Improved provisions for travel for TV performers, including setting minimums that signicantly increase relocation allowances. • Guaranteed airfare and related ground transportation to performers traveling for work taking place in Los Angeles. • A reduction in the number of idle days that may be negotiated from three to two and an increase in pay for those idle days from $75 to $100. • An end to loophole abuse by producers. The current application of the travel rules to episodic television is rife with ambiguity, which opened the door to abuse. The new agreement claries and creates clearly understood travel rules which is a plus for members. • Safe travel commitment from management to provide either transportation or lodging to performers who do not believe they can drive themselves safely due to exhaustion or inclement weather. SAG-AFTRA did not give up "portal to portal" travel pay. Portal to portal remains the rule for performers working on an overnight location. Moreover, lodging at a producer's base is now mandatory. SAGAFTRA.org | Summer/Fall 2017 | SAG-AFTRA 21 SAG-AFTRA Condemns SBS continued from page 11 unionie in os Angeles. The company has since failed to negotiate a fair contract with the union and refuses to engage in good-faith bargaining over economics, including wages. Carteris began the forum by revealing that the union delivered a letter to Julie Su, the Labor Commissioner of California, calling upon her and her department to vigorously investigate the rampant violations of California wage and hour laws at SS. Carteris also revealed that over the past months, the company has engaged in extensive and severe unfair labor practices. t has also done everything possible to hamper its negotiations with SAG-AFTRA. This is absolutely unacceptable. have a message for SS e are not going away. Employees at La Raza and MEGA chose to organize and join SAG-AFTRA due to ongoing systemic and endemic abuses at both stations. These violations of California law include being paid less than the legally mandated minimum wage, denying rest breaks, denying meal breaks and access to bathrooms during live and remote events, denying overtime, exempting employees paid below the wage threshold, denying reimbursement for cell phones and other business expenses, and failing to provide payment for talent endorsement fees. "Whether you are a Latino DJ working at a popular Spanish-language radio station or an acclaimed actor in a hit network TV show, you deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity, said Councilmember Ryu. SAG-AFTRA represents Spanish-speaking broadcasters and journalists across the country, including in Los Angeles, ew ork, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Chicago.