Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1498689
28 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2023 | sagaftra.org For Members A t the SAG-AFTRA National Board's one-day videoconference plenary on April 22, the board voted unanimously to support the Writers Guild of America as they engage in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. "It is long past time for the studios, streamers, and other employers in the entertainment industry to remove roadblocks to fair and equitable wages and working conditions, and to agree to terms that reflect the unique worth and contribution of creative talent and workers, without whom the industry would not exist," stated the resolution. Also at the meeting, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher reported on the reintroduction of the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act in Congress; the acquisition of SAG-AFTRA's future national headquarters in North Hollywood, California; and the sunset of the COVID-19 Return to Work Agreement. The Board heard reports on various contract matters, including the recently reached tentative agreement on the It's a Laugh contract, which it approved. The contract covers dramatic scripted children's programs for the Disney Channel basic cable network. Additionally, the Board approved the creation of a new member committee dedicated to organizing work in the area of video games. In his report, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland discussed the union's work around artificial intelligence and activity with the Human Artistry Campaign and other industry efforts. He reiterated the union's statement on AI and reaffirmed the union's position on digital voice, likeness and performance simulations, and made it clear that SAG-AFTRA will continue to prioritize the protection of its member performers against the unauthorized use of their voices, likenesses and performances. Crabtree-Ireland also shared the theme and design for the 2023 National Convention, "Future Forward/Union Power." At its previous meeting on Jan. 28, the National Board voted to hold the convention virtually this year, from Oct. 21–23. At that meeting, reports from Drescher, Crabtree-Ireland and other officers provided updates on the full reopening of all union offices on Jan. 30; details of SAG-AFTRA's partnership with Netflix, including the SAG Awards' then-scheduled broadcast on YouTube; the launch of Green Council; and recent contract successes in ratifying the Corporate/Educational and Non-Broadcast Agreement. A report on the TV/Theatrical Wages & Working Conditions process was also provided. National Board Announces Unanimous Support for the WGA at One-Day Plenary T he joint unions, which include SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, IBT Motion Picture Division, Basic Crafts, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers agreed to allow most of the Return to Work safety protocols to expire May 11, coinciding with the date the federal government identified for the expiration of the Coronavirus public health emergency. The provisions that will continue are: • The joint unions have secured an additional five paid COVID-19 sick days for all employees through the end of 2023. This is an important consideration which ensures that employees do not feel an undue economic pressure to come to work when ill. • Projects in production as of May 11, 2023, which had already established a mandatory vaccination policy in Zone A, may continue that policy for the duration of that production. For episodic projects, this applies only to the season in production as of May 11, and not for subsequent seasons. • SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have reached an agreement on continued testing upon request for performers involved in intimate scenes and scenes involving extreme physical exertion to ensure their safety and well-being, continuing through July 31, 2023. For performers and background actors working in scenes involving close or intimate contact or extreme exertion, starting May 12, 2023, you will have the right to request COVID antigen self-administered testing of yourself and of other performers and background actors with whom you will be working in close or intimate contact. Those requests will need to be directed to a specified point of contact on the production team at least 24 hours in advance unless you are cast less than 24 hours in advance. The identity of the performer or background actor making the request will be kept confidential. The right to make these requests will continue until July 31, 2023, unless further extended. • Effective May 11, 2023, safety protocols for both the commercial productions and corporate/educational and non-broadcast productions will terminate with the same provisions as the AMPTP, relating to those projects in production that have already established a mandatory vaccination policy and are continuing after May 11. Additionally, performers may request that they and everyone else in the scene may be tested when there is close or intimate contact or extreme exertion. COVID Return to Work Protocols Sunset