Judge Grants SAG-AFTRA Dismissal Motion for Return to Work Agreement Lawsuits

Yesterday, a federal court judge dismissed 40 lawsuits filed against SAG-AFTRA over the Return to Work Agreement, which allowed entertainment workers to be among the first industries to safely return to work during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her order, Judge Josephine L. Staton, U.S. district judge for the Central District of California, dismissed the complaints, finding that even if all allegations in the complaints could be proven, they failed to state a legal claim against the union. The dismissal was ordered "with prejudice," meaning that the claims cannot be refiled.

"We are pleased with the federal district court's order to permanently dismiss these cases," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. "We look forward to continuing to expand our members' work opportunities and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those who helped make sets safe enough to return the industry to work during the unprecedented challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic."

SAG-AFTRA was represented by Lisa Demidovich of Bush Gottlieb, ALC.