In her two-year tenure as SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher has dedicated herself to uniting the various factions within the union. She promised to leave behind a legacy of member unity, a promise that resonated with voters who reelected her with an overwhelming 80% majority.
More from Variety
However, as the SAG-AFTRA strike approaches its 100th day, Drescher faces her toughest leadership test yet. Can she keep the union together long enough to deliver the groundbreaking deal she has promised to members?
A group of high-profile actors, led by George Clooney, recently met with Drescher and the union’s chief negotiator. While these A-listers expressed their support, there was an underlying skepticism regarding the union’s ability to revive the entertainment industry.
The group, which included Ben Affleck, Meryl Streep, and Scarlett Johansson, presented a proposal to increase dues for high-earning actors and adjust residuals in favor of those with lower incomes.
Instead of accepting the gentle rejection, Clooney publicly shared his ideas, seemingly challenging Drescher and the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee, which may signal a fracture in the union’s solidarity.
Drescher addressed Clooney’s proposals in an Instagram video, emphasizing their incompatibility with federal law and their lack of relevance to the ongoing negotiation. She dismissed the ideas, stating, “Unfortunately, they do not hold water.”
Drescher then redirected the focus to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, highlighting her own vision for a groundbreaking streaming residual model that would benefit actors. She believes this model could potentially revolutionize the industry.
In a memo to members, SAG-AFTRA expressed gratitude for the ideas and support offered by the Clooney group while explaining why their proposals were not viable. The memo also hinted that the A-listers were engaging directly with studio executives, possibly bypassing the negotiating committee.
While acknowledging that these efforts may be perceived differently, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator, emphasized his openness to hearing great ideas from members across the union’s spectrum.
However, the CEOs of major studios, eager to resume production, have concluded that the union’s demand for half a billion dollars in streaming residuals annually, in addition to existing residuals and percentage increases achieved by other guilds, prevents progress in the negotiations.
Privately, they have expressed concerns that Drescher’s agenda seems focused on wealth redistribution rather than reaching a practical agreement.
Meanwhile, Drescher continues her efforts to maintain unity among the membership and persuade them to stay committed to the cause.
She declared, “This too shall pass,” urging members not to succumb to pressure and to stand firm.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
