Three-year contracts covering television, audio and digital commercials including more than $200 million in wage increases and other payments were overwhelmingly approved by SAG-AFTRA members in voting completed.
The contracts also include expansion of the definition of a commercial that will help protect the contract’s coverage in the area of digital; a 7 percent upfront increase in wages; and a 6 percent increase in national cable use fees in addition to the general increase, according to Pamela Greenwalt of SAG-AFTRA Monday.
The new contracts go into effect immediately, retroactive to April 1, and will remain in force until March 31, 2019.
SAG-AFTRA members voted 92.25 percent in favor of the contracts, according to the final vote count certified by Everett, Washington-based Integrity Voting Systems.
Approximately 133,000 eligible members were mailed a postcard on April 18 with instructions and a PIN number on how to vote online or how to request a paper ballot, with 13 percent casting ballots, Greenwalt said.
“The commercials contracts help protect the working conditions, livelihood and pension, health and retirement benefits of thousands of our members,” said SAG-AFTRA President and Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Gabrielle Carteris.
—Staff and wire reports