LABOR FILE

A three-year contract calling for a 12% increase in minimum wages and residuals for television and theatrical work was overwhelmingly ratified by the Screen Actors Guild, officials reported. The pact, calling for annual raises of 4%, was approved by the union’s members 97% to 3%, the guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said in a joint statement. With 32,371 valid ballots returned by the April 28 voting deadline, 31,365 members voted in favor of the contract and 1,006 were opposed. The new contract, which takes effect July 1, also includes what officials called a significant increase in producers’ contributions to the guild’s health plan, a new minimum scale for “top of the show” TV series guest stars, and increases in residuals for free TV shows released to basic cable and foreign distribution.