Union Informs Members About Resuming Negotiations with Top Studio Leaders
After nearly two weeks of halted talks due to the perceived wide gap between the union and the management side, SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood’s major studios will return to the bargaining table on Tuesday. The negotiating committee of the union confirmed in a message to its members that the management side reached out to resume talks.
The committee wrote, “It is clear that the strength and solidarity shown by our members has sent an unmistakable message to the CEOs. As we have repeatedly said, we are ready, willing and able to engage on a moment’s notice to meet and to work across the table to achieve a deal that is worthy of your sacrifice.”
On Saturday afternoon, a joint statement from SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers announced the resumption of negotiations. The statement mentioned that at least some executives from AMPTP member companies would be present during the talks. This development coincides with the 100th day of SAG-AFTRA’s first industry-wide strike in over 40 years.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will meet for bargaining on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance.”
The decision to resume negotiations is being influenced by mounting internal pressure on SAG-AFTRA leadership to find a resolution to the contract talks and end the industry-wide strike. George Clooney, a prominent actor known for his rocky relationship with Hollywood unions, recently proposed an alternative plan to secure higher streaming residuals, causing discomfort among SAG-AFTRA’s top brass.
On October 11, AMPTP surprised SAG-AFTRA by announcing a pause in the talks due to significant disagreements on key issues. Studio leaders expressed frustration after spending five full days in bargaining sessions without achieving any significant progress. In response, union leaders Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland intensified picket activity and embarked on a media tour to emphasize that the deal terms offered on October 11 were insufficient to end the strike.
The resumption of talks is also critical considering the limited time window to shoot new TV episodes or movies before the end of the year. Prior to the downturn in SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with AMPTP, industry insiders had earmarked the week of November 6 as a potential period for filming, particularly for TV projects that were almost ready to begin production when the WGA strike began on May 2.
It remains uncertain whether the four executives who have been leading the negotiations with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, namely Bob Iger from Disney, Donna Langley from NBCUniversal, Ted Sarandos from Netflix, and David Zaslav from Warner Bros. Discovery, will participate in the new round of talks or if new individuals will be present at the negotiating table.
Below is the full memo from the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee:
As we mark the 100th day of our strike, we are pleased to confirm the company executives have asked us to return to the table. Official negotiations will resume on Tuesday, October 24.
It is clear that the strength and solidarity shown by our members has sent an unmistakable message to the CEOs. As we have repeatedly said, we are ready, willing and able to engage on a moment’s notice to meet and to work across the table to achieve a deal that is worthy of your sacrifice. Including this morning, just as our biannual SAG-AFTRA Convention is underway.
In the coming days there will likely be a lot of interest and potentially noise surrounding our talks. Do not believe anything you hear until it comes from us.
We are focused.
We are determined.
We will not waver.
One day longer.
One day stronger.
As long as it takes.
Your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee
