A potentially historic double strike is on the horizon, threatening to completely shut down Hollywood. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents nearly all TV and film actors, failed to secure a new contract with major studios ahead of the Wednesday deadline. The union’s negotiating committee voted unanimously to recommend a strike, following unsuccessful negotiations with companies like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and Warner Bros.
SAG-AFTRA will hold a news conference after its national board votes on whether to make the strike official. This would mark the first time in 63 years that Hollywood actors join an ongoing walkout by writers in the industry.
According to Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director, studios and streamers have implemented significant unilateral changes to the industry’s business model while refusing to update the frozen contracts. He states that the refusal to engage with key proposals and the disrespect towards members has led to this point. Fran Drescher, the union’s president, also criticized the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for their insulting and disrespectful responses to their proposals.
The AMPTP, representing major studios, has shifted the blame onto the actors’ union for not reaching a deal. Disney CEO Bob Iger called SAG-AFTRA’s requests “not realistic” and expressed concern over the collateral damage the strike would cause to support services in the industry.
The demands of the actors largely align with those of the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike for months. Both unions seek restrictions on artificial intelligence technology that can mimic performers and writers, as well as a new business model for the streaming era that emphasizes fair compensation.
Production for many shows and movies has already halted due to the ongoing writers’ strike. If actors join the strike, it is expected to bring filming to a complete standstill. Efforts were made to avoid a simultaneous strike, but no resolution was reached. A double strike by actors and writers would be unprecedented, with the only previous occurrence happening in 1960.
As Hollywood prepares for the potential strike, notable actors like Meryl Streep, Jamie Lee Curtis, Quinta Brunson, and Pedro Pascal have expressed their willingness to participate. The involvement of federal mediators in the final round of talks did not lead to an agreement.
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