Agreement Reached!

Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Reach Tentative Agreement With Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers

LOS ANGELES --- On July 3, 2001, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) reached a tentative, three-year theatrical motion picture and television production agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The agreement is subject to the approval of the Joint SAG/AFTRA Board of Directors and by the memberships of both unions, voting in a secret ballot mail referendum. The Joint Board meeting will take place as quickly as one can be scheduled. If the Boards approve the contracts, a mail referendum would then be sent to the 135,000 members of SAG and AFTRA nationwide.

SAG and AFTRA members may continue to audition and work on film and television projects at this time. Work done during this period would be paid retroactively according to the terms of the tentative agreement.

Full details of the tentative agreement are not being released at this time, but a few highlights of the new agreement are:

1. Industry standard minimum increases.
2. Significant increase in basic cable residuals.
3. Additional contributions to the SAG Health Plan.
4. Substantial increase in salaries for guest stars and stunt coordinators.
5. New provisions for the Internet similar to the Writers Guild of America.

SAG President William Daniels said, "I’ve been saying since last October that there was a deal to be made in regard to this contract and I’m delighted that both sides have conducted these talks in the positive spirit of problem-solving and reaching an accord that’s equitable for both sides."

AFTRA President Shelby Scott said, "We began these negotiations focused on improving wages and working conditions for the backbone of our unions — our middle income members — and I believe we’ve made solid gains for that group."

Nick Counter, President of the AMPTP, said, "We want to thank SAG and AFTRA negotiators for their professionalism and personal sacrifice. But this agreement could not have been reached without the expertise and leadership of SAG President Bill Daniels, AFTRA President Shelby Scott, SAG negotiating team Chair Tom LaGrua, AFTRA negotiating team Chair John Connolly, SAG Chief Negotiator Brian Walton, and AFTRA Chief Negotiator Stephen Burrow."

Carol Lombardini, Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for the AMPTP, added, "We commend SAG and AFTRA for their dedication, hard work and commitment toward reaching solutions. This agreement is focused upon the special needs of actors while addressing the economic realities of the industry today."