SAG-AFTRA Board Approves New Contract, Sends AI and Pension Deal to Members
Similar Articles
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal with Major Studios Ahead of Contract Expiry
Hollywood Studios Turn to Directors Guild Negotiations After Writers and Actors Deals
Hollywood Writers Secure New Contract With Viewership Data Access
International Casting Directors Launch AI Guidelines to Protect Actors
Cate Blanchett Co-Founds Non-Profit to Set Human Consent Standard for AI
The SAG-AFTRA board has approved a new four-year contract with major studios and is sending it to the membership for a ratification vote. The deal includes new protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and a plan to merge the union's two pension funds. Members have until June 4 to vote on the agreement.
Facts First
- SAG-AFTRA board approved a four-year contract with an 89% vote in favor of sending it to members.
- The contract establishes new AI rules, requiring studios to notify and bargain for AI training and to use synthetic performers only if they add 'significant additional value'.
- A pension fund merger is planned for January 1, 2028, with studios contributing an extra 1% to the combined plan.
- The deal includes 3% annual increases in minimum rates, improvements on residuals, and provisions for virtual casting.
- Membership ratification votes are due by June 4, following informational Zoom meetings this week.
What Happened
The SAG-AFTRA board voted 89% in favor of a new four-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Monday, sending it to the full membership for ratification. The contract includes terms addressing artificial intelligence (AI), streaming residuals, and a long-planned pension fund merger. Negotiators reached the tentative deal on May 3 after six weeks of bargaining.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a SAG-AFTRA member, this contract directly affects your earnings and job security. The 3% annual increases in minimum rates and improvements on residuals could mean higher paychecks. The pension fund merger is designed to resolve 'split earnings' issues that have prevented about 1,000 members from qualifying for pension credits. The new AI provisions may offer some protection against your digital likeness being used without consent, as studios must now notify and bargain with the union to license performances for AI training. The deal also includes a provision encouraging virtual interviews during casting, which could make the audition process more accessible.
What's Next
SAG-AFTRA leadership plans to hold Zoom meetings this week and later this month to explain the deal to members. The membership ratification vote is open until June 4. If ratified, the contract's terms will go into effect. Meanwhile, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) began its own negotiations with the AMPTP on Monday, which are expected to last through early June.