SAG-AFTRA’s national board has reached a deal with major labels for a three-year extension for their current music videos contract.
The deal will, upon ratification by SAG-AFTRA members, be retroactively effective from May 1, 2019, through April 30, 2022, and includes Warner Records, Atlantic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Capitol Records and Hollywood Records (Disney).
Updated elements of the agreement include the addition of a $500 minimum (12-hr day) to the $50-100 thousand tier, and makes the pro-rated eight-hour day for the above $100-150 thousand tier permanent.
The deal will also increase the daily rate for existing dancer miniums to 3 percent upon ratification and then annual increases of 3 percent starting May 1, 2020, followed by 2.5 percent starting May 1, 2021.
The agreement also establishes a minimum rate for background nationwide pegged at 10 percent above applicable minimum wage, and requires that a stunt coordinator be retained when aerial acrobatics and non-dance stunts are to be performed.
The deal also includes worker protections defined language around sexual harassment prevention and a nudity rider that defines nudity with considerations to the special requirements and culture of music video production.
The National Board also approved a negotiating committee and wages & working conditions process for the Corporate, Educational & Non-Broadcast Contract.
“I am proud to be part of the team that helped achieve this contract, which includes new set minimums, protections against sexual harassment and better wages for background performers,” said Negotiating Committee Chair and National Vice-Chair of the Dancer Committee Danielle Towne. She added, “This agreement will ensure that music videos can remain creative while the performers that bring them to life feel safe.”
The National Board met on Monday and Tuesday, following SAG-AFTRA’s four-day biennial convention at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.