In 2017, SAG-AFTRA sponsored a bill in the California legislature requesting sites like IMDb to remove actor´s ages or birthdays without their permission. The bill was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown but was later struck down by a federal judge.

GLAAD has stated that publishing transgender people’s birth names and age without permission is an invasion of privacy and could lead to discrimination.

For more than a decade, IMDbPro members have been able to decide whether or not their age/birth year is displayed on IMDbPro, and the policy announced this week mark the first time they can choose whether their age/birth year is displayed on the IMDb website apps for entertainment fans and general consumers.

IMDb said in a statement: “The significant updates we are announcing today reflect our continuing commitment to being the most accurate and comprehensive source of information about movies, TV shows, talent, and entertainment industry professionals.”

“I’m so pleased that IMDb worked closely with us to understand and support the needs of SAG-AFTRA members and all entertainment industry professionals,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said. “It is the dawn of a new, more collaborative relationship with IMDb and SAG-AFTRA members. Now, a performer can claim their page and manage their demographic data on their IMDbPro and IMDb pages for free. This means professionals can choose how they want to represent themselves to fans and industry decision-makers. And it will make it easier for casting directors, producers, and others to discover and hire talent from all backgrounds for their project. Bravo IMDb, for your inclusive and honorable approach. May every company follow your lead.

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In addition to codifying meaningful wage increases, improvements to funding for the benefit plans and significantly improved residuals for streaming video, the agreement includes new protections governing nudity, simulated sex scenes and sexual harassment prevention.

“I am grateful for the many members who got involved and used their voices to help set the priorities for this contract,” said Gabrielle Carteris, SAG-AFTRA President and Negotiating Committee Chair. “This is a forward-thinking agreement that builds on the changing realities of the streaming business and positions our union to continue the fight for a safer workplace for all.” ?

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said, “I want to thank the negotiating committee and the many members who gave their input into this process. Your voices were critical to achieving the important gains we made in this agreement. I also want to recognize the incredible dedication and commitment of our staff who worked so diligently throughout this negotiation.”

The deadline to vote was July 22, 2020, at 5 p.m., and members submitted their votes online and by mail-in ballot. The final vote was certified by Integrity Voting Systems, an impartial election service based in Everett, Washington.

The agreement becomes effective retroactive to July 1, 2020, and expires June 30, 2023.

Formal negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers began April 27 and reached a tentative agreement on June 11. On Monday, June 29, the SAG-AFTRA National Board met and voted by a supermajority to approve the agreements and recommend a “Yes” vote.

In national voting completed this week, the members of SAG-AFTRA ratified the 2020 TV/Theatrical agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Members approved the new, three-year contracts covering motion pictures, television and new media production by a vote of 74.22% to 25.78% percent with a turnout of 27.15%.

In addition to codifying meaningful wage increases, improvements to funding for the benefit plans and significantly improved residuals for streaming video, the agreement includes new protections governing nudity, simulated sex scenes and sexual harassment prevention.

We want to thank the negotiating committee and many members who got involved and used their voices to help set the priorities for this contract. This is a forward-thinking agreement that builds on the changing realities of the streaming business and positions our union to continue the fight for a safer workplace for all?.?

We also want to recognize the incredible dedication and commitment of our staff who worked so diligently throughout this negotiation.

The agreement becomes effective retroactive to July 1, 2020, and expires June 30, 2023.

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First Agreement the Union has Signed Directly With a Global Streaming Service

Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Netflix have agreed to an industry-transformative contract covering dramatic live-action productions.

The first-of-its-kind deal between the union and the global streaming service recognizes performance capture as covered work and includes coverage of dubbing, which applies to all of Netflix’s foreign-language live-action and animated motion pictures dubbed into English. 

To date, Netflix has produced under the standard SAG-AFTRA television and film agreements.

Now, the new deal also includes gains in theatrical residuals, greater rights for members in the areas of options and exclusivity, improved overtime rules for stunt performers and specific protections for members regarding harassment and auditions.

The deal includes the same harassment protections contained in the Network Code agreement, and Commercials Contracts, in addition to a ban on auditions in private residences and hotel rooms. Netflix has set the industry standard with its Respect at Netflix program that is held as the gold standard in the industry for awareness of gender equality and promoting the participation of all regardless of gender, ethnicity or race. 

“We are always looking to adapt and grow within the changing environment of our industry. This groundbreaking agreement speaks to that,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “Netflix recognizes the value of working with SAG-AFTRA members, and the contributions we make in this global industry. I am gratified that this deal achieved longstanding member goals, in particular. the recognition of performance capture work, and other important improvements that members want and deserve.”

Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos added: “We are pleased that we were able to work with SAG-AFTRA to address these issues unique to Netflix’s production needs and we commend SAG-AFTRA leadership for its creative approach.”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said, “I want to salute the contracts staff led by Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for its incredible work on this historic agreement. As Netflix continues to ramp up its series and feature film production, it can do so more efficiently under this bilateral agreement, which provides enhanced terms and protections for all our members.” 

The deal, which except as specified follows the Codified Basic Agreement and Television Agreements, was overwhelmingly approved by the National Board at its one-day videoconference plenary today. The agreement expires on June 30, 2022.

Additional highlights of the contract include: 

• Minimum salary and turnaround provisions shall now be applicable to all Netflix programs regardless of whether they trigger the “high budget SVOD” thresholds, an important breakthrough for performers.
   
• Netflix has recognized that performances recorded using performance capture technology is covered work with all the protections of any other type of performance, subject to a mutual reservation with respect to fully animated motion pictures.
   
• Concessions in the area of consecutive employment for guest stars and day performers employed on episodic series.
   
• All Netflix dubbing for foreign language live-action and animated motion pictures dubbed into English in the United States to be done under a union agreement with improved terms.
   
• The agreement covers how to pay residuals for motion pictures that were produced under a SAG-AFTRA theatrical contract that are exhibited on Netflix.
   
• Stunt performers will no longer have adjustments considered in determining their eligibility for overtime for episodic productions.
   
• Historic new limitations on the ability to advance pay residuals.

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