The SAG-AFTRA National Board met yesterday (5/11) in a special videoconference meeting and decisively voted to approve the tentative agreement reached for the 2026 TV/Theatrical Contracts. The agreement will now be submitted to the membership for ratification with the board’s recommendation for a “yes” vote.
The parties have committed to merging the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and AFTRA Retirement Fund into a single merged plan with an additional 1% to the contribution rate effective on the target completion date of January 1, 2028. The merger will increase contribution rates and improve benefits for both SAG and AFTRA participants.
Additionally, the agreement builds on SAG-AFTRA’s existing guidelines around AI including new provisions strengthening consent and compensation and establishing new and enhanced guardrails on synthetics including:
–Agreement to a principle strongly favoring human performances.
–Producers do not intend to use a synthetic in a human role that would otherwise be performed by a human unless the synthetic brings “significant additional value” to the motion picture.
–Performers’ digital replicas are now protected from crossing a picket line during a strike.
–Protections for minors on the use of their digital replica.
–Producers must have an articulable business reason to scan someone for a digital replica.
–Minimum wage rates will increase by 3% annually (compounded) from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. The health plan contribution rate will increase by 1% effective July 1, 2026, there will be a one-time increase to the quarterly eligibility premiums, and the earnings thresholds will increase by an additional 1% (at 3% per year instead of 2%) over the term of the agreement.
SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said, “Now, it is the members turn to learn about the tentative agreement. The ratification ballots will be in the mail shortly and it is my earnest desire that there will be full participation.
“In my view, this is a very strong deal that builds on the gains of 2023. It is a structural agreement that confronts the realities of streaming economics, artificial intelligence, digital identity, pension stability, data transparency, and the increasingly fragmented nature of employment in our business.
“I am proud and pleased to send it to the membership with my full support for ratification.
“This would not have been possible without the extraordinary work of our volunteer member negotiating committee including Los Angeles Local vice chair David Jolliffe, New York Local vice chair Linda Powell, Committee of Locals vice chair Eric Goins and our negotiating staff team led by national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and lead negotiator Ray Rodriguez.”
Crabtree-Ireland added, “This contract is a testament to the incredible unity and determination of our members, and I am proud to deliver an agreement that results in meaningful gains across the board, from benefit plans to artificial intelligence to residuals, and beyond. I especially want to thank president Astin and the members of the negotiating committee, Ray Rodriguez, our chief contracts officer, and Jessica Johnson, our national director of entertainment contracts, and the negotiating staff, for their outstanding leadership throughout these negotiations. I look forward to seeing these gains locked in for our members.”
Other highlights include:
–Improved residuals and contributions when television programs and theatrical motion pictures move to subscription streaming (SVOD) platforms.
–A provision requiring producers to make as many virtual auditions available as necessary to accommodate anyone who prefers them over self-tape for many categories of television roles.
–A new higher scale for recurring weekly performers and guest stars engaged on more than 60% of episodes in a season.
–Improvements on relocation allowances for series regulars.
–Eliminate the Group 9+ rate for dancers and apply the “Group 3-8” rates to all groups of three or more.
-Improvements in casting protections and a commitment, subject to legal review, to fund a new casting platform with a SAG-AFTRA Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund (IACF) grant.
–12.55% increases to scale minimums over four years.
–Additional 1% contribution rate to fund the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan.
–1% increase to SAG-AFTRA Pension Plan upon merger, with a Jan. 1, 2028 target date.
–Substantial gains towards parity between the East and West Coast background zones.
–Establishment of a parental leave fund.
–Representation of and contract coverage for choreographers.
–A provision that the union has spent many years pushing for: producers will display the SAG-AFTRA logo in the end credits.
Member informational meetings are being scheduled and additional details will be available in the coming days.
Postcards will be mailed on Thursday, May 14, to eligible SAG-AFTRA members, and they will have until 5 p.m. PDT on June 4 to cast their vote on ratification.
