What is Global Rule One?
SAG - Screen Actors Guild www.sag.org
“No member shall work as a performer or make an agreement to work as a performer for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect.”
- from the SAG Constitution
Mission Statement
The Screen Actors Guild represents its members through:
(A) Negotiation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for performers.
(B) The collection of compensation for exploitation of their recorded performances and protection against unauthorized use.
(C) The preservation and expansion of work opportunities.
How do you qualify for SAG?
- Principal Role: Principal Performer EmploymentPerformers
may join SAG upon proof of employment. Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract,a payroll check or check stub, or a letter from the company (on company letter-head). The document proving employment must provide the following information:
— applicant’s name
— applicant’s Social Security number
— name of the production or name of the commercial (product name)
— the salary paid (in dollar amount)
— the specific date(s) worked.
- Parent Union: If you have been a paid-up member of AFTRA, AEA, AGVA, or ACTRA for one year with at least one job during the current year under their principal contract.
* Current cost to join SAG: $___________
How do Talent Agencies work with SAG?
Most agencies in large cities are franchised by SAG. Your agency is held to the union rules and standards on how talent is treated. Your agency is backed by SAG when a dispute arises between talent and a production company. SAG also endores agencies listed with ATA, The Association of Talent Agents and NATR, The National Association of Talent Representation.
The following are all under SAG jurisdiction:
- Studio features
- All filmed TV shows including 1/2 hour nighttime comedies
- Union commercials
- Union independent features
AFTRA www.aftra.com
American Federation of Television and Radio ArtistsThe American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is a national labor union representing nearly 80,000 performers, journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media.
AFTRA's scope of representation covers broadcast, public and cable television (news, sports and weather; drama and comedy, soaps, talk and variety shows, documentaries, children's programming, reality and game shows); radio (news, commercials, hosted programs); sound recordings (CDs, singles, Broadway cast albums, audio books); "non-broadcast" and industrial material as well as Internet and digital programming.
AFTRA's membership includes an array of talent - sound recording membership includes artists who bring pop, rock, country, classical, folk, jazz, comedy, Latin, hip hop, rap and R&B to the world. AFTRA members perform in television and radio advertising, non-broadcast video, audio books and messaging, and provide their skills for developing technologies such as interactive games and Internet material.
Contract Negotiation & Enforcement
The union negotiates and enforces over 300 collective bargaining agreements that guarantee minimum (but never maximum) salaries, safe working conditions and health and retirement benefits. When the union is unable to resolve disputes with employers, AFTRA contracts include procedures for binding arbitration. The cost of these proceedings is paid by the union. In the past year, AFTRA pursued claims, grievances and arbitration that recovered over $10 million for AFTRA members.Advocacy
AFTRA advocates on legislative and public policy issues that directly affect members' wages and working conditions. This includes lobbying and support for such issues as ownership consolidation in the broadcast industry, Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations, Copyright and performance rights issues, "non-compete" restrictions, OSHA and local safety regulations, and more. AFTRA also represents artists and journalists in judicial proceedings, often as amicus, and before the U.S. Copyright Office.Member Benefits
AFTRA supports the welfare of its members through benefits and programs sponsored or supported by the union. AFTRA was the first industry union to establish employer-paid health and retirement plans for members and their dependents that qualify. The Health Fund provides comprehensive medical and hospital benefits, a dental plan, prescription drug program, life insurance and mental health and substance abuse programs. The Retirement Fund is portable, so that wherever members work under an AFTRA contract -- whether on a television or radio program, a sound recording, commercial or industrial show -- employer contributions are made on their behalf. For more detailed information about the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds, visit its web site at www.aftrahr.com.AFTRA membership also provides access to a series of supplemental benefits, discounts and other programs through groups such as Group Benefits Associates, TEIGIT, UnionPlus/Union Privilege and MusicPro.
The AFTRA Foundation, a separate tax-exempt organization funded entirely by voluntary contributions, works in even broader ways to benefit performers and broadcasters and supports the educational and charitable objectives of AFTRA.
Scholarships are available to AFTRA members and dependents through the AFTRA Heller Memorial Foundation. AFTRA members are also eligible for assistance through organizations such as Theater Authority and the Actors Fund. In addition, several AFTRA Locals sponsor scholarship programs and various charitable foundations for the benefit of AFTRA members and/or their dependents.
Governance and Administration
AFTRA was founded and governed by members. Each of the Locals around the country elects its own Board of Directors, in addition to electing representatives to the National Board of Directors. Those Local and National Boards set the direction of the organization and establish its policies on the local and national levels respectively. AFTRA also holds a National Convention every two years, and delegates are directly elected on a proportional basis from each Local to represent the membership at the Convention. All Board members and Officers -- both Local and National -- serve without pay. Policies and programs developed by the elected members are implemented and administered by salaried staff at the national and local level.AFTRA's current National President is Los Angeles actor John Connolly. Its senior administrator and labor relations professional is National Executive Director Greg Hessinger.
Other Initiatives
AFTRA Local offices offer a wide variety of special programs tailored to the needs of members who live and work in their area. These programs range from publication of talent guides distributed to local producers, agents and casting directors; scheduling of conservatories or seminars which help members improve skills, write resumes and develop audition techniques; opportunities for members to meet casting directors, agents and others who hire talent; and local showcases to highlight new talent to the industry.Actors' Equity Association is the labor union representing over 45,000 American actors and stage managers working in the professional theatre. For 90 years, Equity has negotiated minimum wages and working conditions, administered contracts, and enforced the provisions of our various agreements with theatrical employers across the country.
Membership
Equity is governed and supported by its own membership, currently over 40,000 strong. The staff carries out policies and decisions that are made by democratically elected members who serve on Council, Regional Boards, and in committees. Equity's direction is determined by members; the union belongs to you.The time-honored Equity card is the symbol of a commitment to a theatrical career and represents the highest standards and responsibilities of professionalism. Those who choose to become members implicitly pledge to represent the theatre, the union, and themselves, with integrity and dignity.
AEA