SAG-AFTRA And AMPTP Resume Negotiations
Will the WGA agreement help?
After the recent historic strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which concluded with an agreement that has yet to be ratified by member’s vote, observers and stakeholders eagerly await a swift resolution from SAG-AFTRA as they come back to the negotiating table.
Actors union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP ) concluded a full day of negotiations on Monday, the first time dealmakers have been in a room together since the union declared a strike on July 14. While little details were shared about the talks, both sides plan to meet again this week at the SAG-AFTRA’s headquarters in the Los Angeles Miracle Mile neighborhood.
Ahead of the meeting, attended by top Hollywood CEOs, including Disney’s Bob Iger, Donna Langley of Universal Pictures, David Zaslav of Warner Bros., and Netflix patron Ted Sarandos, the Union urged its members to continue picketing citywide.
The SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP negotiations hit an impasse in July, leaving many critical issues unresolved. These issues include concerns about meal break penalty increases, health and pension contribution caps adjustments, and more. The recent tentative contract achieved by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) covered significant matters, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data transparency. It raises the question of whether this breakthrough will expedite related discussions within SAG-AFTRA.
AI is a major concern for both unions. SAG-AFTRA fights for clear rules on consent and fair payment when AI modifies performers' digital identities or performances. Although each union has distinct concerns about this rapidly evolving technology, the WGA deal could potentially guide SAG-AFTRA in future negotiations, establishing a precedent for handling AI-related issues.
A fundamental issue for both unions revolves around equitable compensation for creative work featured on streaming services. Initially, SAG-AFTRA proposed a revenue-sharing plan, while the WGA sought a new residual formula favoring popular projects. The WGA eventually negotiated a viewership-based streaming “bonus” for writers working on successful streaming projects. SAG-AFTRA might consider adopting a similar model or persist in advocating for its original revenue-sharing plan, unlocking opportunities to enhance job security.
In a bid to tackle extended unemployment among creatives, SAG-AFTRA is pushing for crucial changes in the areas of exclusivity and protection. By altering series-regulars options, this proposal opens up avenues for pursuing other employment during prolonged hiatus periods.
The WGA deal may not offer much assistance to SAG-AFTRA in terms of minimum annual compensation increases. The writers’ union won slightly higher percentage bumps than the AMPTP initially offered to the WGA. However, SAG-AFTRA is seeking much higher wage bumps overall, with 11 percent in the first year and 4 percent in the second and third years to account for inflation.
As the negotiations unfold, the industry awaits the outcome, keenly aware of the transformative impact these discussions could have on the entertainment landscape.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
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Will the WGA agreement help?
After the recent historic strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which concluded with an agreement that has yet to be ratified by member’s vote, observers and stakeholders eagerly await a swift resolution from SAG-AFTRA as they come back to the negotiating table.
Actors union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP ) concluded a full day of negotiations on Monday, the first time dealmakers have been in a room together since the union declared a strike on July 14. While little details were shared about the talks, both sides plan to meet again this week at the SAG-AFTRA’s headquarters in the Los Angeles Miracle Mile neighborhood.
Ahead of the meeting, attended by top Hollywood CEOs, including Disney’s Bob Iger, Donna Langley of Universal Pictures, David Zaslav of Warner Bros., and Netflix patron Ted Sarandos, the Union urged its members to continue picketing citywide.
The SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP negotiations hit an impasse in July, leaving many critical issues unresolved. These issues include concerns about meal break penalty increases, health and pension contribution caps adjustments, and more. The recent tentative contract achieved by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) covered significant matters, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data transparency. It raises the question of whether this breakthrough will expedite related discussions within SAG-AFTRA.
AI is a major concern for both unions. SAG-AFTRA fights for clear rules on consent and fair payment when AI modifies performers' digital identities or performances. Although each union has distinct concerns about this rapidly evolving technology, the WGA deal could potentially guide SAG-AFTRA in future negotiations, establishing a precedent for handling AI-related issues.
A fundamental issue for both unions revolves around equitable compensation for creative work featured on streaming services. Initially, SAG-AFTRA proposed a revenue-sharing plan, while the WGA sought a new residual formula favoring popular projects. The WGA eventually negotiated a viewership-based streaming “bonus” for writers working on successful streaming projects. SAG-AFTRA might consider adopting a similar model or persist in advocating for its original revenue-sharing plan, unlocking opportunities to enhance job security.
In a bid to tackle extended unemployment among creatives, SAG-AFTRA is pushing for crucial changes in the areas of exclusivity and protection. By altering series-regulars options, this proposal opens up avenues for pursuing other employment during prolonged hiatus periods.
The WGA deal may not offer much assistance to SAG-AFTRA in terms of minimum annual compensation increases. The writers’ union won slightly higher percentage bumps than the AMPTP initially offered to the WGA. However, SAG-AFTRA is seeking much higher wage bumps overall, with 11 percent in the first year and 4 percent in the second and third years to account for inflation.
As the negotiations unfold, the industry awaits the outcome, keenly aware of the transformative impact these discussions could have on the entertainment landscape.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
Share:
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