SAG-AFTRA Members’ Earnings Hit Record High In 2021; No Decision Yet On Disciplining Will Smith For Oscar Slap

deadline.com:

Despite the pandemic, SAG-AFTRA member’s earnings hit a record high in 2021, even when adjusted for inflation, the union said following its national board meeting on Saturday.

The union’s made-for new media, animation, sound recordings and audiobook contracts all set inflation-adjusted records.“The rebound and growth in number of jobs and overall earnings demonstrates the effectiveness of our return-to-work protocols and the essential nature of our members’ contributions to the success of the media and entertainment industry,” said SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “We are mindful that many of our members have not seen their work opportunities fully return and we continue to focus on getting everyone back to work.”No decision was made during the board meeting about any potential disciplinary action against Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, although a source says that a discussion was had about a change to the union’s disciplinary process so that if multiple members bring charges against someone, only one of those charges would be brought against the member, thus eliminating the need for multiple proceedings on the same issue.President Fran Drescher, who joined the virtual meeting from Washington, D.C., where she was attending the White House Correspondents Dinner, praised the union’s negotiating team for reaching an agreement for a new commercials contract, which is now awaiting ratification by the members.

She also updated the board on meetings she’s been having in Washington to advance legislation on a number of bills important to the union’s members, including the American Music Fairness Act, the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act, and the CROWN Act.Noting that the union