Q: What timetable
now applies to implementing the new Contract?
The new Contract begins on April 1, 2009 but is not
officially approved until the SAG and AFTRA Boards and members vote favorably
on its ratification. The union voting
process should be completed by May 15, 2009.
Since the new Contract was unanimously approved by the SAG and AFTRA
negotiating committees, it is virtually assured that it will be ratified by the
union Boards and members. But nothing is
certain so there are two options:
a. Continue to operate under the current
contract and make retroactive payments of the new rates once the union Boards
and members ratify the new Contract, or
b. Pay the new rates (the unions have issued new
rate charts) and run the risk that the new Contract will not be ratified and
refunds might be required. Since getting
refunds for overpayments from actors is very difficult, the risk associated
with paying the new rates may outweigh the benefits of avoiding additional
accounting. Each company needs to make
that determination on an individual basis.
Q: How long until the deal is ratified by the unions’
boards and members?
The new Contract was unanimously
approved by the Commercials Committees of both unions. It will now go the each of the unions’ boards
for approval. It will then be sent out
to the unions’ members for a vote on ratification. This entire process should be completed by
May 15.
Q: Until the new rates are published, how should I pay
actors?
It is probably best to pay under
the old rates until the new ones are all agreed upon. Then you will be able to make retroactive
payments to actors. The proposed new
rates will be published shortly but will not be official until the unions’
Boards and members ratify the new Contract.
While you can pay under the new rates prior to ratification, you then
take the risk of seeking reimbursement should the unions’ Boards or members
fail to ratify the new Contract.
Q. Which commercials are subject to the new
rates and new Contract provisions?
The
new rates, terms and provisions apply to the following:
a.
All original commercials produced on or after April 1, 2009;
b.
All new or additional versions of commercials originally produced under
prior contracts for commercials that are integrated on or after April 1, 2009
under the Integrating of Commercials into Different Commercials provisions; and
c.
All versions of commercials that are edited and aired after April 1,
2009 other than as expressly permitted under the Editing of Commercials
provisions.
Any
terms, rates or conditions of current performer contracts that are more
favorable to the performer than those under the new Contracts remain in effect,
although we are not immediatly aware of any such provisions.
Q Can I still freely bargain for made-for-Internet or
made-for New Media commercials and set any rate I can get the actor to agree
to?
Yes. The minimums will not apply until April 1,
2011. So you can continue to freely bargain
until that time. Even when the minimums
are established, your right to freely bargain on editing remains.
Q: What happens now with the 8 week cycle for the Internet
and New Media?
The 8 week cycle is now a
permanent part of the new Contract. You
can also run consecutive 8 week cycles as well.
Nor do you need to ask an actor if you can use his or her spot for an 8
week cycle if they have not objected to Internet use. With regard to rates, the one year moveover
rate is now 3.5 session fees and the 8 week cycle is now 1.33 session fees.
Q: Will the JPC be conducting any seminars to explain the
new Contract?
Yes. We’ll have a schedule for seminars out in a
few weeks.
Q: Where can I get more information?
Information will be forthcoming
as it develops. For the next few weeks,
you need to be patient as documents are finalized and rates are set. The SAG and AFTRA approval process will also
take us through to May 15. But I’ll try
to keep everyone posted on my JPC Blog at the ANA website (www.ana.net) and on
the Adlaw by Request blog (www.adlawbyrequest.com). In the meantime, please feel free to email me
at dwood@reeedsmith.com or call me at 212 549-0377.