SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Three-Year Agreement with AMPTP

SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on successor agreements covering motion pictures, scripted primetime dramatic television and new media production.

Significant improvements were secured in the residuals rate paid to performers for exhibition of their performances on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon. Under the new terms, actors will receive residuals for exhibition on subscription video on-demand platforms earlier, now after 90 days instead of after one year. The new formula delivers a 300% increase in residuals to performers within their first two years when their work is exhibited worldwide on Netflix.

Note: Daytime soap operas are under a separate contract that expires next year.

SAG-AFTRA release the list below of highlights from the tentative agreement:
* Total package valued at $256 million over three years
* 3-year agreement commencing July 1, 2017 and expiring June 30, 2020
* Wage increases of 2.5 percent in the first year, 3 percent in the second year and 3 percent in the third year
* Half percent increase in the current rate of employer contributions paid to the SAG Pension Plan and AFTRA Retirement Fund in the first year of the agreement, raising the total contribution rate to 17.5 percent effective July 1, 2017
* Secured an additional .2 percent increase in funding to the SAG-AFTRA industry cooperative funds, which will support monitoring animal safety on sets, safety training and sexual harassment prevention training
* Achieved recognition of Middle Eastern North African as a diverse category in the casting data report
* Agreement to study the design and implementation of an electronic reporting system for performer work times Improved residuals for programming made for SVOD (subscription video-on-demand)
* First residual is now due in 90 days rather than one year Increase in the residual rate First ever residuals compensation for foreign use Improvements to money and schedule breaks Improvements to the advertiser-supported streaming residuals
* Outsized increase of 18 percent for background actors working under the CW supplement
* Terms requiring that all background actors be paid double-time starting after 10 hours of work

The new three-year agreement will be presented to the SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors for their approval on July 15 to be followed by a member ratification vote. Watch your email for further updates.