The jurisdiction battle between Actors� Equity and SAG-AFTRA continues over who has representational rights over streaming theatrical productions. On October 17, SAG-AFTRA requested support from the AFL-CIO’s Department of Professional Employees in securing mediation following a formal complaint submitted to the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (4As).
As per a ruling in 2014 between the 4As and AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA requested the mediation from 4As first, and then invited the DPE to assist with the matter.
“The dispute pertains to AEA's infringement of SAG-AFTRA's long-held, exclusive jurisdiction over recorded media and live broadcast media, and, since its inception, over streamed and digitally transmitted media as well, including in live theater productions,� reads the letter, penned by President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David P. White. to read both the letter sent to AFL-CIO and the complaint submitted to the 4As.
As , SAG-AFTRA tried to present AEA with a draft waiver that allows Equity to handle streaming theatrical projects through mid-2021—provided that AEA acknowledges SAG-AFTRA's general control in the domain of filmed media, streaming or otherwise. So far, AEA has declined to use the waiver.
Equity maintains that SAG-AFTRA’s governance in the live streaming theatricals arena results in lower income and health insurance coverage deficits. In addition, SAG-AFTRA does not represent stage managers, which are part of Equity for in-person productions, and has allegedly resulted in the laborers either being fired or told they can work as independent contractors.
“It didn’t have to be this way,� wrote President and Executive Director Kate Shindle and Mary McColl to AEA members in an email October 16. “We spent months privately discussing with SAG-AFTRA how union/employer relationships work and asked them to not interfere with our employers. Instead, they insisted on a so-called ‘waiver� that is unusable, and they continued undercutting terms and conditions by signing Equity employers to lesser paying SAG-AFTRA contracts.�
The two unions have launched campaigns to drum up support in their claims, dividing actors along the medium lines—though many are in fact represented by both. Equity sent a link to sign a letter of solidarity in its October 16 email and October 17, SAG-AFTRA is using and #PlayFairAEA on social media.
