Working Non-Union Under The Radar
I know of SAG actors who take the occasional non-Union gig, confident in the assumption they will not get caught. After all, the Guild does not police every production, turning over every rock looking for members who are breaking the rules, and there are plenty of unscrupulous producers who are willing to turn a blind eye for the right actor and claim ignorance if a SAG rep shows up on their set. However, if a member in good standing got caught, he/she would have broken SAG-AFTRA’s only unbreakable commandment, Global Rule One: “Never Take Non-Union Work”. Specifically:
“No member shall render any services or make an agreement to perform services for any employer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Union, which is in full force and effect, in any jurisdiction in which there is a SAG-AFTRA national collective bargaining agreement in place. This provision applies worldwide.”
The penalty would be a heavy fine to the actor or possibly expulsion from the union and the producer could be barred from contracting with SAG-AFTRA in the future.
If I am hired on a non-Union project as a Fi-Core actor, do I have to show proof of my status?
You do not have to show proof of your Fi-Core status. You will not be given a special card or anything like that by the Union. If you represent yourself as FC on your resume, the producers who hire you will, in all likelihood, simply take you at your word. If they chose to do their due diligence, I'm sure they could call SAG-AFTRA to ask if you are a member in good standing. most of the time however, the assumption is, with all the drawbacks associated with FC status, you wouldn't put it on your resume if it weren't true.
Next: How Many Fi-Core Members Are There?
This is one of a series of questions and answers regarding Financial Core for SAG-AFTRA members. Jump to a question:
Intro: Everything You Wanted To Know About Fi-Core But Were Afraid To Ask
Why Would A SAG-AFTRA Actor Want To Go Fi-Core?
Why Would An Actor NOT Want To Choose Fi-Core? What Are The Consequences?
What Does The Union Say About Fi-Core And What Are The Arguments For It?
Is There Really A Stigma Against Fi-Core Actors In The Industry?
Will I Lose My Pension And Benefits?
Right To Work And Fi-Core Permanence
What If I'm SAG-AFTRA And Just Take Non-Union Gigs 'Under The Radar?'
How Many Fi-Core Members Are There?
Fi-Core And The SAG-AFTRA Merger
Does SAG-AFTRA Offer More Detailed Information About Financial Core?
How Would I Go About Getting On Fi-Core Status?
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About Jeff Hatch
Jeff Hatch trained as a theatre actor in college and conservatory programs and appeared in regional and local theatre in Southern California, Utah and Arizona before pursuing Film and Television in LA. He has worked in several TV, Film and Commercial projects over the past 10 years. He has recently booked several roles in independent feature films, shorts, a prime-time network comedy, a daytime soap and multiple re-enactment documentary programs. Read more about Jeff on IMDb.
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