SPRING 2013
Commercials Contracts Head to Members for Electronic Voting
•
VOLUME 2
A Letter From L.A. Co-President
GABRIELLE CARTERIS
•
NO. 1
dancers and increased health and pension contributions. The Commercials Contracts could not have been achieved without the outstanding
Dear Member,
leadership of Co-President and Negotiating
Congratulations!
Committee Chair Roberta Reardon, Vice
Our first national
Chairs Allen Lulu, Sue-Anne Morrow, Ilyssa
n April 21, the SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA contract
Fradin and David Hartley-Margolin, as well as
National Board approved
— commercials — has
the members from around the country who
the deal reached with the
been negotiated
attended these negotiations for six long weeks.
ad industry April 7 on new
and approved by
Also vital was our incredible staff: National
the National Board
Executive Director and Chief Negotiator
The contracts will result in $238 million
for your consideration. By the time you
David White; Assistant National Executive
in wage increases and other payments for
are reading this, you should have received
Director, Contracts Ray Rodriguez; Associate
all categories of performers, improvements
a postcard with voting instructions. This
National Executive Director Mathis Dunn; and
in cable use fees, increases in payments
contract is an overall deal worth $238 million,
Senior Advisor John McGuire.
for work on the Internet and new media
with a 6-percent upfront increase in wages
Those of us who have been in the rooms
platforms, and an increase in the late-
for members. The provisions that make this
before noticed how different it was this time.
payment fee. Formal negotiations between
contract so impressive are the increases for
The sole focus was for a successful contract
SAG-AFTRA and the advertising industry
Spanish-language productions, increases for
O
television and radio commercials contracts.
Carteris continues on page 2 >>
began on Feb. 14 and concluded April 7. In connection with the first national
contract referendum for SAG-AFTRA, the board approved a motion offering
members the opportunity to vote online, as well as by traditional paper ballots,
if they prefer, to ratify the commercials agreements.
“Online voting will make more efficient
use of our financial resources, advance
our efforts to be more environmentally
conscious by reducing paper use, and offer members the choice of a voting process that’s most convenient for them. We
expect this program to encourage member engagement and to enhance voter turnout in the referendum,” said Duncan
Crabtree-Ireland, chief administrative officer and general counsel.
Votes must be received by Friday,
May 31, 2013, 5 p.m. PDT (electronically or by mail). l
A Letter From L.A. Co-President
NED VAUGHN
you are affected by the contract? That won’t be necessary because the National Board has determined that all paid-up members are affected by the Commercials Contracts,
Dear Member,
including those who have never worked — or
Do you believe that
even pursued work — in that area.
letting your union
If this seems odd, perhaps it’s because
know you are affected
the SAG-AFTRA Constitution requires that
by a particular
such contracts may only be ratified by “the
contract, and
members affected thereby.” Many naturally
therefore choose to
believe this means members with some kind
vote on it, hurts you in
of work-related connection to the contract
some way? I don’t, and I’d like to tell you why.
— but some National Board members see it
The SAG-AFTRA National Board has
differently.
unanimously recommended approval of the
Another option was considered, however.
2013 Commercials Contracts, and all paid-up
The board considered defining “affected
members have the opportunity to cast their
members” in a way that recognizes the direct
votes until May 31 (must be received by 5 p.m.
connection of those who work under the
PDT). I hope you’ll join me in voting yes.
contract, but would still allow any paid-up Vaughn continues on page 2 >>
But what about letting the union know