SAG-AFTRA & Studios Reach Tentative Settlement Over Unpaid Covid Testing Stipends
deadline.comSAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative settlement with the studios regarding unpaid Covid testing stipends. The stipends in question are for Covid testing payments on days when performers also were paid for fittings.
In the Return to Work Agreement between the companies and Hollywood’s unions, actors and background performers who traveled outside their homes to take a Covid test on a day in which they did not work for the producer are entitled to be paid a testing stipend if they were not otherwise paid for the day.
The Return to Work Agreement provides that “an employee or prospective employee, other than a background actor, who travels outside his/her home to undergo a test on a day in which the individual does not work for Producer shall receive a stipend of $250.
A background actor shall receive a stipend of $100, which shall be subject to pension and health contributions only if the background actor is ultimately employed by the Producer following the test…However, no stipend is due if the employee is otherwise paid for the day.” The dispute arose because “multiple production companies” reportedly had not been paying performers and background actors a Covid testing stipend on testing days on which they are also paid for a wardrobe fitting.
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