MEMBERSHIP RULES
The union rules we are required to follow - in layman’s terms. FULL OFFICIAL TEXT HERE
No working non-union in SAG-AFTRA jurisdictional work categories for which we have a national collective bargaining agreement or for an employer we’re striking.
You have to comply with the union’s workplace safety protocols, report any violating members, and report any contract violations by signatories.
You’re expected to show up and/or testify in union hearings, including arbitration and disciplinary ones.
No appearing in or helping with a benefit (fundraiser, telethon, etc.) taking place in our union’s jurisdiction without union approval.
You have to report it if you join another union that represents you within our jurisdiction. If our union doesn’t approve, you may have to resign from that other union or face disciplinary action.
You gotta have your SAG-AFTRA card when working and show it to a union rep if asked. Don’t give your card to anyone else.
Nothing. SAG used to have a #7. Now the official rules say:“Reserved for Future Use”
Don’t drive any studio equipment to location.
You can’t work on a project in one of our sister union’s jurisdictions unless you know it’s signatory to one of their contracts.
(A.) Can’t work for an employer that the sister union has declared is unfair or told its members not to work for them,
(B.) Or an employer they are striking, or (C.) one on that union’s “unfair" list.
The presiding officer of a board meeting or a committee chair can invoke confidentiality at any time, but a 2/3 vote of the body can overrule it.
You cannot give gifts to, or bribe, employers or potential employers, including their casting staff, in trying to get a job. Paying your union-franchised agent their appropriate earned commissions is not considered a bribe or gift.
If you file a claim against an employer, the union can resolve it any way it sees fit. If our union decides not to take it on, you can pursue the claim on your own at your own expense.
“Reserved for Future Use”
You can’t be a performer in and the casting director (or other teamster union role) of the same project without the union’s consent.
“Reserved for Future Use”
“Reserved for Future Use”
Claims for royalties owed in some foreign countries can only be made by certain approved collecting entities on behalf of all the performers. The union can make agreements with those entities and take some of the money to pay for its costs of distributing the funds to its members.
You can’t do non-union background work in a union-covered zone.
SPECIAL NOTE ON LOCAL HIRE & ABUSE
Report and send any breakdowns, casting notices, or self tape instructions inducing you to falsely claim to be a “Local Hire” to your Local staff.
Local Hire means you’re claiming to be within 60 miles of the location, so production does not have to pay for mileage reimbursement, lodging, or per diem.
“Modified” Local Hire means you’re claiming to be within 500 miles of the location. Production will pay for mileage, lodging, and per diem on workdays only.
Membership Rule 11 prohibits members from bribing employers to get work, including paying for production travel expenses required by our contracts. Falsely claiming to be a “Local Hire” in a market takes work away from members who are in the area or are actual residents, and may also be subsidizing productions being given state tax incentives to hire legitimate locals. Productions that can’t find suitable talent locally must travel in and lodge members from other markets.