TikTokers Can Now Join The Biggest Union In Hollywood

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SAG-AFTRA revealed a new ‘Influencer Agreement’ that offers representation to TikTokers and Creators across other platforms.

We knew this was coming. Welcome to the first TikTokers union.

One of Hollywood’s biggest unions, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), has now introduced an ‘Influencer Agreement’ that offers TikTokers, but also Instagram Creators and other influencers, a new way to unionize. Essentially, it will allow social media Creators and influencers to obtain the same benefits as A-list Hollywood actors.

“The Influencer Agreement was created in response to the unique nature of Influencer-generated branded content and offers a new way for influencers to work under a SAG-AFTRA agreement,” Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-AFTRA, tells Backstage. “We want to be able to support both current and future SAG-AFTRA members in this space and for them to be able to access the benefits of union coverage.”

In particular, the new agreement includes better opportunities and protections for those working in the industry, plus – in many cases – health and pension plans.

Until now, only YouTubers were eligible to gain membership. With today’s announcement, TikTokers, Instagram Creators, and influencers across Facebook, Twitch, and other platforms will be able to join. According to SAG-AFTRA’s website, the union already represents around 160,000 performers and media professionals.

Almost everyone can benefit from the new protection.

The agreement categorizes “influencer-generated branded content” as advertising, and this has to be produced by the influencers and distributed on their personal platform in video or audio form. And there is no minimum follower count. However, this agreement does not cover still imagery or advertising campaigns created for a company as these are covered under different agreements.

I know exactly who needs to fucking hear this BUT a lot of influencers are marginalized people who COULD REALLY BENEFIT from union protections, especially as more brands seek to employ marginalized creators to improve their images, so please spare me your eye rolls
— Kristin Chirico (@lolacoaster) February 11, 2021

The announcement was well received by the Creators’ community who have welcome the ability to unionize and protect their work and their rights. “A lot of influencers are marginalized people who could really benefit from union protections,” writes actor and writer Kristin Chirico in a tweet, “especially as more brands seek to employ marginalized creators to improve their images, so please spare me your eye rolls.”