Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546062
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS favoring human performances means that producers cannot replace human performers with synthetics except under compelling circumstances and after following a specified notice and bargaining protocol. This means a producer may not use a synthetic in a role that would otherwise be performed by a human unless the synthetic provides "significant additional value" to the motion picture beyond what could be achieved with a human performer or digital replica — a high bar. Other AI-related language ensures performers' digital replicas are now protected from crossing a picket line during a strike, meaning producers can't use a performer's digital replica to replace the performer who is participating in a strike. Also, producers must have "an articulable business reason" — in other words, a clear, objective justification — to scan someone for a digital replica. There are also added protections for minor performers. Our contract now prohibits producers from using a minor's digital replica in any manner that would depict the minor as nude or engaged in simulated sexual activity, including by aging up or de-aging the minor. In addition, there are now requirements for safe storage and limited access to your digital replica as well as protections against avoiding contract requirements by transferring ownership of the digital replica. NO MORE SPLIT EARNINGS Nearly 1,000 members every year have remained ineligible for pension or retirement benefits because some of their contributions were applied to the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and some to the AFTRA Retirement Fund. The new agreement creates a framework to merge the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and the AFTRA Retirement Fund into one plan, with a target sagaftra.org | Summer 2026 | SAG-AFTRA 43 Above, from left, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland; SAG-AFTRA President & TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee Chair Sean Astin; SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Second Vice President & Committee Vice Chair David Jolliffe; SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President & Committee Vice Chair Linda Powell; and Committee Vice Chair Eric Goins. Below, SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee members, from left, SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd; National Board member Avis Boone; SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Actors/Performers, Shari Belafonte; and National Board member Woody Schultz. REINING IN SYNTHETICS AND DIGITAL REPLICAS AI is evolving rapidly, and this agreement establishes some of the strongest protections and guardrails secured to date while creating a foundation we can continue building on in future negotiations. Protections governing the use of synthetics are among the most significant AI advances in the new agreement. "AI technology will continue to evolve, but our contracts must continue to protect human performers," said Crabtree-Ireland. "These new protections establish meaningful guardrails around synthetics, reinforce the principle that human performance comes first and give the union stronger tools to enforce those protections." The agreement strengthens the union's ability to enforce the synthetics provisions through arbitration, with remedies that are not limited to what a performer would have been paid for the equivalent work. The enhanced enforcement provisions create a significant deterrent against violations. An agreement by the producers to adhere to a principle strongly