New agreements, ratified by over 95% of union voters, run through June 30, 2020.
SAG-AFTRA has overwhelming approved new successor agreements to both the 2014 Television Animation Agreement and Basic Cable Agreement for Animated Motion Pictures. The new three-year agreements, which will continue through June 30, 2020, received more than 95% approval from voting members.
SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris commented, “This was a very important negotiation for our members who work on television animation projects due to the expansive growth of streaming media. It was imperative that we ensure our members receive compensation that reflects an evolving business model. With approval of these agreements, members will continue to be fairly compensated for the work they do.”
Highlights of the new agreements include wage increases and benefit contribution rate improvements on par with the gains achieved in live-action negotiations; a 2.5 percent increase to minimums and .5 percent increase in the contribution rate to the union’s pension fund retroactive to Sept. 16, 2018; a 2.5 percent increase to minimums and .5 percent increase in the contribution rate to the pension fund effective Jan. 1, 2019 and a further 3 percent increase to minimums effective July 1, 2019, with the option to redirect .5 percent of that increase to the contribution rate to the pension fund.
According to the union, the improved terms and conditions negotiated in 2017 for live-action programs produced for subscription-based streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu will apply to animated programs produced for those platforms with some modifications.
“I commend members for voting to approve these agreements,” SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator David White said. “These new contracts set important protections for members working in programs created for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and other streaming sites and ensures that our foothold in this area remains strong and significant.”
Formal negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee and the AMPTP began on October 30, 2017, in Los Angeles and concluded on September 19, 2018. The SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously approved the tentative agreement at its October 20 meeting.
Source: SAG-AFTRA
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
