Commercial Contract Negotiations

Since Unite for Strength took it's place in the Hollywood Board Room, the following important decisions have been made in regards to the upcoming commercial contract negotiations:

• Jong Negotiations

The commercials contract will be negotiated jointly with AFTRA

• Non disparagement Clause

SAG & AFTRA arrived at an agreement (brokered by the AFL-CIO) which requires them to work cooperatively and respectfully in those talks. Stiff fines will be imposed if any official of either union (including board members) publicly disparages the other union. This should greatly reduce the chances of another damaging “competing” negotiation.

Be informed & get involved!

Joint SAG/AFTRA Commercials Contracts Wages and Working Conditions Committee Meetings to be held in Los Angeles

Joint Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Wages & Working Conditions meetings have been scheduled in preparation for negotiation of the Commercials Contracts that were extended from October 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009. All members who work the Commercials Contracts are invited to attend and participate. All W&W Committee meetings are open to all paid-up members of both Unions; participation is limited only by fire department regulations.

If you are not located in L.A. but will be visiting from out of town, please feel free to attend. Come early and bring your membership card.

Attention members who are actively producing:
SAG members who are actively producing cannot attend the W&W Committee Meetings due to conflict of interest. However, you are welcome to attend the evening W&W caucuses. Please check the Contracts section of www.sag.org for caucus dates and times.

W&W Committee Meetings Scheduled in Los Angeles:
Cagney Boardroom
5757 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

November  17   10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
November  19   10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
November  21   10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
November  24   10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November  25   10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December  1     10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
December  2     10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
December  3     10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December  4     10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

If you cannot attend, make sure your voice is heard. You may submit proposal recommendations by email at commercialswandw@sag.org or commercialswandw@aftra.com. The Joint Wages and Working Conditions Committee will review all recommendations.

You may also submit your ideas through the on-site suggestion boxes placed in the SAG committee office at 5757 Wilshire Blvd on the 1st floor and at the AFTRA Offices located at 5757 Wilshire Blvd on the 9th floor. Feel free to drop-in your contract-related thoughts and concerns. Please note that the deadline for submissions in the Suggestion Box is Friday December 5, 2008.

Your participation is vital to a contract negotiation responsive to the working members. Thank you for your time.