The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have approved new three-year commercial agreements.



 

The memberships of AFTRA and SAG voted 94 percent in favor of the new deals. 



 

The pacts cover performers working in commercials made for and reused on television, radio and, for the first time, the Internet and new media.

 

According the a joint statement, the unions estimate that the three-year increase, which is retroactively effective April 1, will generate more than $108 million in member earnings, including approximately $24 million in contributions to the SAG Pension & Health and AFTRA Health & Retirement plans.

 

The new payment structure for the Web and new media goes into effect in the third year of the contract.

 

“I am pleased that SAG and AFTRA were able to work together to reach an agreement that will benefit actors who work in the advertising industry,” said SAG National President Alan Rosenberg.

 

AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon said, “These new agreements provide significant increases in payments to working performers now -- a major achievement in a severely depressed global economy -- and the contracts will guarantee our continued participation in this important area of work as it evolves in response to consumer tastes and trends affected by the changing landscape of digital technology.”