Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535197
sagaftra.org | Spring 2025 | SAG -AF TR A 29 Tentative Agreement Goes to Members for Ratification Members Have Until May 21 to Vote O n April 27, the SAG-AFTRA National Board overwhelmingly approved a new, forward- looking tentative agreement for the Commercials Contracts, reached with the Joint Policy Committee on April 12. The agreement is now up for member ratification, with voting open until 5 p.m. PDT on May 21. Shaped directly by the voices of members who participated in wages and working conditions meetings, this three- year deal delivers significant gains in wages and benefits, modernizes the digital structure and introduces industry-leading protections around artificial intelligence. In total, the new contracts will deliver $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions — a $98 million increase over the 2022 deal. To stay ahead of the curve of the transforming advertising industry, the contracts include stronger digital structures, improved streaming compensation and the first-ever structural premium for paid YouTube.com use. Additionally, pension and health contributions have been raised from 20.5% to 23.5%, ensuring stronger long-term funding for member benefit plans. And when it comes to A.I., the 2025 Commercials Contracts set a new standard for performer protection. Digital replicas must be consented to in advance, and their use requires informed consent, specific usage disclosures and full payment — including a 1.5x session fee plus applicable use and holding fees. The provisions ensure a level playing field in generative A.I. and remove economic advantages for the use of synthetic performers. Additionally, producers are barred from training A.I. on a performer's data without union consent. For audio performers, the new Audio Commercials Contract introduces two new digital tiers — Traditional Digital and Digital Plus — to better reflect streaming platforms like Pandora and Spotify, and ensure performers see a direct increase in compensation. AMONG THE MANY WINS FROM THE DEAL: • Compounding, real wage growth has been locked in, increasing compensation 5% in year one, 4% in year two, 3% in year three. Defending Against Deepfakes in D.C. I ndividuals everywhere could soon have stronger legal protections against unauthorized replication of their voice or likeness, thanks to the reintroduction of the SAG-AFTRA-supported Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe, or NO FAKES, Act in the Senate. If passed, the bill — sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Thom Tillis — would establish a federal right in voice and likeness to protect against unauthorized use of digital replicas in audiovisual works and sound recordings. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher spoke in support of the bill at an April 9 press conference in Washington, D.C., saying, "This is not just a bipartisan issue, this is a nonpartisan issue … This isn't even about people in the entertainment industry … This is about you and your family and your neighbors and your children, most important. So let's all gather around this phenomenal bill, the NO FAKES Act, now because there isn't a moment to lose." The NO FAKES Act would preserve existing protections at the state level, such as Tennessee's landmark SAG-AFTRA-supported ELVIS Act and California's SAG-AFTRA-sponsored AB 2602, while providing one strong, consent-based framework for digital replica uses in expressive works nationwide. See page 37 for more about NO FAKES and other bills that would protect members. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher speaks at an April 9 Washington, D.C., press conference announcing the reintroduction of the NO FAKES Act in the Senate. "This isn't even about people in the entertainment industry … This is about you and your family and your neighbors and your children." Commercials continues on page 97 DEREK FRENCH/SHUTTERSTOCK CLICK HERE for Bonus Content CLICK HERE for Voting Info