Member Message: Important Commercials Contracts Voting Information

On behalf of the SAG-AFTRA National Board and National Commercials Contracts Negotiating Committee, we are pleased to present the new 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Audio Commercials Contract. The three-year deal nets $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions — an increase of $98 million more than the 2022 deal, which at the time was projected to generate $120 million in gains.

To stay ahead of the curve of the transforming advertising industry, we supercharged digital! One year streaming use now pays $10,000 – 33.33% more than the previous contract rate! We also achieved a structural win in Traditional Digital. Paid use on YouTube.com now commands a 12% increase over the current Traditional Digital rates. We know how valuable YouTube is and this important structural change sets us up for future growth in the next cycle and beyond.

We locked in real wage growth, increasing compensation 5% in year one, 4% in year two, and 3% in year three. And, yes, those increases will compound. This secures meaningful income increases over time and means the year three rates will be 12.5% higher than those in the previous contract. 

In addition to these increases, our pension and health funding just got stronger. The total contribution rate has been raised from 20.5% to 23.5%, subject to a waiver reduction for JPC authorizers to 19.95%. This is one of the most important gains we’ve made for the long-term health of our benefit plans. 

Additionally, the Commercials Contracts boast the most comprehensive A.I. protections of any contract and include the first restrictions on using performers’ work to train A.I. models.

Digital Replicas have a broad definition, protective rules and a fair price tag. We secured language that performer consent is mandatory before any digital replica (image, voice, performance) is created and informed consent is required prior to use, including the requirement that companies provide a reasonably specific description for how a replica will be used. 

And your digital replica gets paid! Use of a digital replica to generate a performance triggers a 1.5x session fee, plus full applicable holding and use fees. We secured provisions that ensure a level playing field in generative A.I. and removed economic advantages to the use of synthetic performers. And performers’ data can’t be used to train A.I. without union consent.

In the Audio Commercials Contract, internet and new media categories no longer adequately described the digital space, so instead we created two new tiers: Traditional Digital and the newly minted Digital Plus, which includes streaming music platforms like Pandora and Spotify. Since session fees may not be credited against either tier, performers will enjoy a direct raise in rates in both of these digital lanes. 

What we fought for and achieved was informed and shaped by the members who participated in the wages and working conditions meetings, voicing concerns about compensation, the impact of A.I. and other challenges they face working the Commercials Contracts. We cannot thank those members enough for showing up and playing such a crucial role in this process. 

So what happens next? 

The SAG-AFTRA National Board met April 27 to review the agreements and voted overwhelmingly to approve the deal and recommend a “yes” vote.

Now it’s in the hands of the membership. Please review the Summary of New Provisions carefully for detailed information on the many gains and the updated structures these contracts offer. In the coming days, additional information and FAQs will be posted to sagaftra.org/commercials2025. Be sure to check back frequently for updates.

Other highlights include:

• An initiative to develop an automated commercial use monitoring service.
• Created a new extra zone and preference of employment for Austin, TX.
• Disability accommodation(s) must be offered, in writing, at the time of engagement.
• Dramatic improvements in protections for minor performers.
• Late fee penalties have been strengthened and streamlined.
• Per diems are required to be paid on the first day of work and/or travel.
• Dancers who are asked to lip-synch now earn an extra 25% of session.
• Singer wage increases for non-air demos.
• A brand new digital structure in the Audio Commercials Contract.
• Eliminated a confusing example about use fees for on-camera performers who rerecord commercials in Spanish.
• And much more… 

The current contracts remain in effect during the member ratification process.

In order for you to have as much information as possible on the new contract prior to voting, Informational meetings will take place online for members across the country at the following times:

• Thursday, May 1, at 2 – 5 p.m. PT / 3 – 6 p.m. MT / 4 – 7 p.m. CT / 5 – 8 p.m. ET
• Monday, May 5, at 6 – 9 p.m. PT / 7 – 10 p.m. MT / 8 – 11 p.m. CT / 9 – Midnight ET
• Tuesday, May 6, at 12 – 3 p.m / 1 – 4 p.m. MT / 2 – 5 p.m. CT / 3 – 6 p.m. ET
• Friday, May 9, at 2 – 5 p.m. / 3 – 6 p.m. MT / 4 – 7 p.m. CT / 5 – 8 p.m. ET

All members who are eligible to vote will receive in the mail a postcard with a PIN and voting instructions.

Whether submitted online or by mail, your ballot must be received by 5 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. If you do not wish to vote online, you may request a paper ballot by calling Integrity Voting Systems at (844) 798-3760 any time before noon PDT on May 16, 2025, and a paper ballot package will be mailed to you.

In closing, we are so proud to have worked with a team of incredibly dedicated member volunteers who put their own lives on hold for nearly two months to serve on the negotiating committee. They, in partnership with our expert union staff, worked tirelessly to create this important agreement that expands members’ contractual gains while protecting individuals' rights around digital replicas and A.I.

We recommend you VOTE YES.

In unity,

Katie Von Till
National Co-Chair, Commercials Contracts Negotiating Committee

Erin Fritch
National Co-Chair, Commercials Contracts Negotiating Committee

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator