Intimacy coordinators — those who work as advocates, liaisons between actors and production, and movement coaches and/or choreographers on scenes that involve nudity and simulated sex — have voted to join SAG-AFTRA in a National Labor Relations Board vote which was tallied earlier today. The final vote was 100% in favor of unionizing with SAG-AFTRA.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said, “In these sobering times with looming threats to environmental protections and women’s equality, it is refreshing to see the entertainment industry’s recognition of intimacy coordinators and their important contribution to productions and to performers in intimate scenes. We at SAG-AFTRA are proud to include this esteemed group of trained professionals as the newest to join our member body. May this continue to carve the path of elevated consideration for the feelings of safety for people and planet.”
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “Since 2019, SAG-AFTRA has been working with intimacy coordinators on a number of key initiatives to grow and safely standardize the profession. Now, five years later, they’ve taken the important step of empowering themselves with union representation! All of us at SAG-AFTRA look forward to working together with them to negotiate a first contract with the AMPTP.”
The SAG-AFTRA Organizing Committee said, “We couldn’t be happier with the results of our union election conducted by the NLRB. Finally, intimacy coordinators are on the path to enjoying the same union benefits and protections that sustain and nurture other entertainment industry workers. We’re excited to get to the table and call on the AMPTP to set a date to begin negotiations.”