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July 13 (UPI) — The contracts for Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in the television, theatrical, and streaming industries expired on Wednesday. Following this, the organization’s negotiating committee unanimously voted to recommend a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The national board members of SAG-AFTRA are scheduled to vote on Thursday regarding whether to halt work at various major studios and networks, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery, and others.
“SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that adequately addressed the needs of performers. However, the responses from the AMPTP to our most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful, considering our significant contributions to this industry,” stated SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher on Thursday. She further added, “The companies have shown no willingness to engage meaningfully on some topics and have completely stonewalled us on others. Until they negotiate in good faith, we cannot reach a deal. We are left with no choice but to proceed united and recommend a strike to our national board on behalf of our membership. The board will discuss the issue this morning and make their decision.”
SAG-AFTRA plans to hold a press conference in Los Angeles at 3 p.m. EDT to announce the outcome of the vote.
“This is the union’s decision, not ours. In doing so, they have disregarded our offer of historic pay and residual increases, significantly higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses, and more,” stated AMPTP in their own statement. They further expressed concern that SAG-AFTRA’s decision will worsen the financial hardship for thousands of individuals who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.
A representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service participated in the negotiations in the final hours. However, the most recent contract extension for the union expired without a new deal being reached.
If SAG-AFTRA proceeds with a strike, it will be the first time since 1980 and will result in the shutdown of scripted TV and film productions involving union members around the world.
SAG-AFTRA has emphasized their demands for “economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence, and alleviating the burdens of the industry-wide shift to self-taping auditions.” The performers are particularly concerned about the use of artificial intelligence, which can mimic their voices, likenesses, and performances. The union believes it is necessary to reach an agreement on acceptable AI usage, negotiate protections against misuse, and ensure consent and fair compensation for the use of their work in training AI systems and creating new performances.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike for approximately two months. If SAG-AFTRA also joins the strike, it would be the first time both unions simultaneously halted work since 1960. The WGA members are seeking pay increases to offset higher living costs.
