Tag

Health Plan

All articles tagged with #health plan

WGA Strike Deal Details: Health Plan Funding, Four-Year Pact, and AI Talks
entertainment2 days ago

WGA Strike Deal Details: Health Plan Funding, Four-Year Pact, and AI Talks

Deadline reports that after board approvals, the WGA revealed a tentative deal with studios and streamers. Key elements include a record $321 million infusion to shore up the union health plan’s solvency, a four-year minimum basic agreement (instead of five), increased employer contributions with 2027 health-plan changes to keep costs manageable, higher streaming residuals including a 75% base for top shows, and ongoing negotiations on AI use. The deal awaits ratification by members in a vote running April 16–24, while WGA West staff remain on strike and some members scrutinize concessions.

WGA Deal Infuses $321M Into Health Plan, Expands AI Licensing Rules
business2 days ago

WGA Deal Infuses $321M Into Health Plan, Expands AI Licensing Rules

The Writers Guild of America West announced a four-year tentative contract with studios and streamers that includes a $321 million infusion into the union’s health plan, higher residuals and an AI‑licensing framework; minimum payments rise 10.5% over the four years, and the deal shifts $25 million from the Paid Parental Leave fund to the health fund. Health-plan contributions will climb to 16.75% of reported earnings, and starting in 2027 active members face premiums around $75/month with higher deductibles and out‑of‑pocket costs, alongside adjusted coverage. The agreement also establishes an AI-notice requirement for licensing scripts to train generative AI, though writers did not secure direct AI training compensation. The WGA West board and WGA East council approved the deal and members will vote on ratification April 16–24.

SAG-AFTRA Expands Health Coverage for Members Affected by WGA Strike
entertainment2 years ago

SAG-AFTRA Expands Health Coverage for Members Affected by WGA Strike

The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan has extended health coverage for qualified participants who would have lost it on October 1, 2023, due to the Writers Guild strike. The extension takes into account jobs lost in May and June of this year. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the importance of not weaponizing the health and well-being of members during contract negotiations with the AMPTP. The National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, expressed disappointment in the studios and streamers for putting members in a position of worry. Qualified participants must meet certain earnings or days-based requirements to be eligible for the extension, while others will receive COBRA offers.

Ed Asner's Discrimination Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Settled for $15 Million
entertainment3 years ago

Ed Asner's Discrimination Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Settled for $15 Million

The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed by Ed Asner and nine other performers who alleged that the plan had discriminated against older members by raising the earnings floor to qualify for health benefits and excluding residuals from the earnings threshold. The settlement also includes a provision to formalize the process of disclosing the plan’s financial condition to members and hiring a consultant to advise on further cost-cutting measures while protecting benefits.

Ed Asner's Discrimination Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Settled for $15 Million.
entertainment3 years ago

Ed Asner's Discrimination Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Settled for $15 Million.

A discrimination lawsuit filed by former SAG president Ed Asner and nine other SAG-AFTRA members against the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan has been settled. The suit claimed that changes to eligibility for benefits "illegally discriminated" against older members. Under the settlement agreement, participants known as "Senior Performers" who no longer qualified for the same health coverage from the Plan that was available to them before the 2020 changes will receive monetary relief worth $15 million, less any Court-approved attorneys' fees and costs. The Plan will also allocate an additional amount up to $700,000 per year for eight years into the Heath Reimbursement Accounts of certain Senior Performers who no longer qualify for active health coverage from the Plan.