SAG-AFTRA today announced it has reached a first-ever tentative agreement with Telemundo Television Studios covering Spanish-language television performers. The contract marks a breakthrough after 15 months of negotiations that followed a vote by Telemundo performers to unionize on March 8, 2017.
Among the key elements of the new three-year deal are:
Contributions to and participation in the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and SAG-Producers Pension Plan for the first time
Residuals for both foreign and domestic exploitation and streaming platforms, based on a percentage of Telemundo’s gross receipts
First ever guaranteed minimum rates for all covered performer categories (including actors, stunt performers, singers and dancers)
Annual increases in all newly-established minimums between 1-2% per year
Substantially upgraded minimum rates for day players after the ninth day of work on any production
Newly established working conditions and safety protections, including:
Minimum rest period between calls of 10 hours
Requirement for qualified personnel to coordinate stunts
Provisions regarding protection of minors
Overtime, holiday pay, and per diem when on location
Said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, “This is a historic moment for Spanish-language performers in our industry.”
Negotiating Committee Chair and Telemundo performer Pablo Azar said, “I am so proud to be part of the team that helped establish our first union contract with its health benefits, residuals, and other protections. This agreement reaffirms that a strong union contract goes hand in hand with successful programming.”
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said, “This precedent-setting tentative agreement is a new beginning for Telemundo performers and speaks to the future of the Spanish-language media industry.”
Details of the new agreement will be presented to the unit performers at an informational meeting in Miami tonight, and subsequently to the SAG-AFTRA National Board for approval at its upcoming meeting on July 21, after which details of the contract will be made available.
On March 8, 2017, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducted an election of Telemundo performers where they voted by more than 80 percent in favor of membership in SAG-AFTRA. This marked the first time in 65 years that a group of actors at a major television network sought a unionization election, making it a momentous step for performers. Telemundo is the largest employer of Spanish-language talent in the United States.
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