Thanks to a new union contract, dancers in Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience World Tour will be covered by a SAG-AFTRA Touring Agreement where performer earnings count toward pension and health benefits eligibility. The deal also provides touring companies with improved budget flexibility through direct negotiations with performers.
SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard applauded Timberlake and the SAG-AFTRA dancers who worked to unionize the 20/20 Experience tour.
"This is a wonderful result for SAG-AFTRA members and Justin Timberlake. Justin was very open to signing the agreement and personally making sure the deal got done,” Howard said. “As a leading recording artist and actor, Justin’s support for his fellow SAG-AFTRA members in unionizing his tour was a key element in concluding this agreement. I thank him for taking the lead."
This is the first time that member performers have successfully organized dancers employed on a specific tour under the SAG-AFTRA Touring Agreement. The agreement was previously utilized to cover touring back-up singers for James Taylor, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Blues Traveler, Josh Groban and Jefferson Starship.
Dana Wilson, a dancer for Timberlake, tweeted about the history-making agreement:
I have never been more proud to dance for @jtimberlake Thank u @sagaftra & @DancersAlliance. I'm speechless. #tourlife just got better.
— Dana Wilson (@Danadaners) November 23, 2013Lindsay Richardson, another dancer with Timberlake, posted her thoughts on Instagram: