Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1401622
64 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2021 | sagaftra.org Efforts Advance to End Pennsylvania Noncompete Clauses N oncompete clauses in broadcast employment agreements prohibit broadcast employees from moving freely between media employers in the markets in which they work. These clauses stifle competition, suppress wages and cause broadcast employees to have to leave communities of which they have become a part. On June 10, Ohio-Pittsburgh Local member and Pennsylvania state Sen. Camera Bartolotta held a hearing on broadcast noncompete clauses. The hearing was in support of legislation that Bartolotta has introduced to bar these clauses in broadcast employment agreements. Philadelphia Local President Sam Clover, member Pat Ciarrocchi and Ohio-Pittsburgh Local and National Board member Charles David "Stoney" Richards all testified at the hearing as to their experiences with noncompete agreements and the deleterious effects they have on employees' livelihoods. Members were joined by SAG-AFTRA Chief Broadcast Officer Mary Cavallaro; National Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy Kerri Wood Einertson; Philadelphia Local Executive Director Stephen Leshinski; and Ohio-Pittsburgh Local Executive Director Brian Lysell. A version of Bartolotta's legislation has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House by Rep. Jason Silvis, who is also an Ohio-Pittsburgh Local member. ● SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Local broadcast members participate in the June 10 hearing about noncompete clauses. Ohio- Pittsburgh Philly Minnesota Production Incentive Passes A fter intense budget discussions and negotiations, film and television tax incentives were included in Minnesota's 2021 Omnibus Tax Bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on July 1, paving the way for increased production in the state and the creation of jobs. The Minnesota Film Production Tax Credit creates a transferable tax credit of up to 25% on qualified in-state expenditures for TV and film production. Minnesota appropriates zero dollars on this program, as the credits are not used until a production company spends money in the state — up to approximately $5 million a year — paying all of the applicable taxes on its spending. As post-lockdown production ramps up in a big way, this transferable tax credit should provide strong encouragement to the film and TV industry to bring those productions and resulting jobs to Minnesota, immediately helping to revive small business and grow middle-class jobs across the state. During the legislative session hearings, the bill drew bipartisan support, as well as advocacy from MN Film & TV and SAG-AFTRA. The House and Senate bills also included supportive testimony in both chambers from labor leaders from IATSE Local 490, Teamsters Joint Council 32 and the Directors Guild of America. The tax incentives will potentially bring millions of dollars into the state's economy annually from producers who could use it to begin work on the backlog of on-hold productions. It will also provide an important financial incentive to encourage production of all kinds to film in Minnesota for years to come. ● Twin Cities National Board continues from page 16 covers syndicated and non-primetime dramatic programs, daytime serials, promotional announcements, variety, quiz, game, reality, talk, news and sports, and other non-dramatic programs. Rodriguez will serve as the union's lead negotiator. The Board unanimously approved an update to the 2001 Dubbing Agreement. In addition to multiple improvements and a simplified compensation structure, this agreement represents the first wage increase for members under this agreement since 2003.