Hollywood Strike Ends: SAG-AFTRA Approves Tentative Deal with Major Studios
Four-month-long strike concludes with a historic billion-dollar agreement.
In a groundbreaking move, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) negotiating committee has unanimously approved a tentative deal with major studios, signaling the end of a nearly four-month-long strike that has disrupted the heart of Los Angeles’ entertainment industry.
Following a tense week of negotiations, the unanimous vote came on Wednesday, with the strike officially concluding at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, November 9th. The deal, valued at over $1 billion, is a three-year contract that promises increased minimum pay, higher residual payments for shows streamed online, enhanced contributions to the union’s health and pension plans, compensation bumps for background performers and “critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.” Notably, it also addresses concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, securing unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation to protect actors from the potential threats of AI.
While specific details of the agreement are yet to be disclosed, SAG-AFTRA’s national board is expected to review and release the terms on Friday. The proposed contract, which still needs ratification from the union’s members, has been hailed by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) as a “new paradigm” featuring the most significant contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union.
The final days of negotiations were marked by drama, with studio chiefs presenting their “last, best, and final” offer on Friday, urging movement from SAG-AFTRA to salvage the current television season. After intense internal discussions, the negotiating committee announced their decision 23 minutes before the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline set by the studios.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed jubilation on Instagram, stating, “We did it!!!! The Billion+ $ Deal! Thank you SAG-AFTRA members for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal.”
The strike began on July 14 and saw actors joining striking Writers Guild of America members in the industry’s first twin strikes since 1960. The unity between the two guilds, along with support from other unions and key industry figures, played a crucial role in strengthening SAG-AFTRA’s bargaining position.
The agreement comes at a critical time for the entertainment industry, grappling with the evolving landscape of streaming and concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional roles for performers. The use of AI to create digital replicas of actors raised fears about job displacement and income loss for many performers.
The economic toll of the strike has been substantial, with an estimated $7 billion in damages and over 45,000 jobs erased from payrolls in the entertainment and sound recording industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude for the “fair agreement” and emphasized the impact on the local economy. “Today’s tentative agreement is going to impact nearly every part of our economy,” Bass said. “Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet.”
As the entertainment industry looks towards recovery, the SAG-AFTRA deal sets a precedent for navigating the challenges posed by technological advancements and shifting economic models in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter
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Four-month-long strike concludes with a historic billion-dollar agreement.
In a groundbreaking move, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) negotiating committee has unanimously approved a tentative deal with major studios, signaling the end of a nearly four-month-long strike that has disrupted the heart of Los Angeles’ entertainment industry.
Following a tense week of negotiations, the unanimous vote came on Wednesday, with the strike officially concluding at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, November 9th. The deal, valued at over $1 billion, is a three-year contract that promises increased minimum pay, higher residual payments for shows streamed online, enhanced contributions to the union’s health and pension plans, compensation bumps for background performers and “critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.” Notably, it also addresses concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, securing unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation to protect actors from the potential threats of AI.
While specific details of the agreement are yet to be disclosed, SAG-AFTRA’s national board is expected to review and release the terms on Friday. The proposed contract, which still needs ratification from the union’s members, has been hailed by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) as a “new paradigm” featuring the most significant contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union.
The final days of negotiations were marked by drama, with studio chiefs presenting their “last, best, and final” offer on Friday, urging movement from SAG-AFTRA to salvage the current television season. After intense internal discussions, the negotiating committee announced their decision 23 minutes before the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline set by the studios.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed jubilation on Instagram, stating, “We did it!!!! The Billion+ $ Deal! Thank you SAG-AFTRA members for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal.”
The strike began on July 14 and saw actors joining striking Writers Guild of America members in the industry’s first twin strikes since 1960. The unity between the two guilds, along with support from other unions and key industry figures, played a crucial role in strengthening SAG-AFTRA’s bargaining position.
The agreement comes at a critical time for the entertainment industry, grappling with the evolving landscape of streaming and concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional roles for performers. The use of AI to create digital replicas of actors raised fears about job displacement and income loss for many performers.
The economic toll of the strike has been substantial, with an estimated $7 billion in damages and over 45,000 jobs erased from payrolls in the entertainment and sound recording industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude for the “fair agreement” and emphasized the impact on the local economy. “Today’s tentative agreement is going to impact nearly every part of our economy,” Bass said. “Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet.”
As the entertainment industry looks towards recovery, the SAG-AFTRA deal sets a precedent for navigating the challenges posed by technological advancements and shifting economic models in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter
Share:
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