Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546062
42 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2026 | sagaftra.org More AI Protections. Enhanced Scale Compensation. A Path to One Pension. M ore AI protections and, at last, a plan to merge the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and AFTRA Retirement Fund into one plan — these are among the gains achieved in the 2026 TV/Theatrical Contracts. In national voting completed on June 4, SAG-AFTRA members ratified the four-year deal, with 91.42% of returned ballots favoring the agreement. Praising the negotiating team's work, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said, "In my view, this is a very strong deal that builds on the gains of [the] 2023 [contracts]. It is a structural agreement that confronts the realities of streaming economics, artificial intelligence, digital identity, pension stability, data transparency and the increasingly fragmented nature of employment in our business." MEMBERS' NEEDS AT THE FOREFRONT As chair of the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, Astin led the way through this bargaining cycle since before the wages and working conditions meetings began in 2025. During these meetings, his being there to hear members' concerns was crucial. "I attempted to attend every W&W," Astin told SAG-AFTRA SAG-AFTRA, "whether it was in person in Los Angeles or via Zoom for all of the other locals." Those meetings resulted in "a very long list of proposals." After that, Astin ensured his fellow negotiating committee members understood his firm approach: The studios and streamers "were going to have to provide sound reasons for not agreeing to proposals we presented." A "deliberate, clear and firm" approach resulted in a lot of "creativity and problem-solving." Astin acknowledged the effectiveness of the negotiating staff, including National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez and Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson. He credited staff with "making sure that we understood the context of decisions we were making, the law itself and the bargaining history." Crabtree-Ireland credits Astin's leadership and the dedication of the negotiating committee members in setting the productive tone of the negotiations. "We've achieved even more than we expected, thanks to the spirit of collaboration set by President Astin and the rest of the negotiating committee," Crabtree-Ireland said. "The amount of work they've done over the last eight months has been incredible." Usually limited to three years, the four-year contract term was proposed by the studios and streamers as a means of attaining greater industry stability. SAG-AFTRA only agreed to adding the extra year after the employers made it worthwhile to members. For more information on all SAG-AFTRA contracts, including TV/Theatrical, visit sagaftra.org/contractstoolkit. SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS RATIFY TV/THEATRICAL/ STREAMING DEAL "We've achieved even more than we expected, thanks to the spirit of collaboration set by President Astin and the rest of the negotiating committee … The amount of work they've done over the last eight months has been incredible." — Duncan Crabtree-Ireland