SAG-AFTRA board approves commercial contracts

The SAG-AFTRA national board on Sunday approved recently negotiated contracts covering work in commercials.

The board unanimously backed the deal reached April 3 for new television, audio and digital commercial contracts, SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.

The union, which represents about 160,000 actors, announcers, recording artists and other performers, did not disclose terms of the deal. Union officials said the contracts contain “significant financial gains� and are tailored to a rapidly changing industry. The agreements must be ratified by members before they take effect.

The board vote comes less than two months after SAG-AFTRA began negotiations with the advertising industry.

Commercial contracts have sparked labor unrest in the past. SAG members went on strike for six months during a dispute over a commercial contract in 2000.

“This contract speaks to the livelihood of members today – and in the future,� SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said in the statement. “We look forward to presenting the agreement to the membership for ratification.�

The SAG-AFTRA board on Saturday elected Carteris to succeed Ken Howard, who served as president before he died March 23 at age 71.

The board also voted to name the Membership Services Center in the Los Angeles national headquarters the Ken Howard Membership Center, and to rename the New York Board Room the Ken Howard New York Boardroom.

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