Hollywood’s major studios are on the brink of ending the 117-day SAG-AFTRA strike with a potentially groundbreaking agreement on artificial intelligence language.
Union negotiators made significant progress during a Monday night meeting with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The key focus of the discussion has been the integration of AI into the entertainment industry.
SAG-AFTRA leaders are gearing up for a crucial meeting with the union’s negotiating committee, aiming to finalize the deal amid the promising developments in the AI negotiations.
Despite continued differences on essential items, including AI, the union submitted its latest formal proposal to the AMPTP after a long day of negotiations. The focus also extends to a new bonus in streaming residuals.
Alongside AI, the union is actively working on a new bonus structure for streaming residuals. Studios have offered a 100% bonus for appearing on popular shows, while also proposing a significant bump in minimum rates, a deal 40 years in the making.
The urgency of the situation is evident as the AMPTP issued its “last, best, and final” offer, urging SAG-AFTRA to come to an agreement. The looming threat of disrupted broadcast TV schedules and postponed feature films adds to the pressing need for a resolution.
While Monday’s negotiations saw significant progress, the endorsement of the union’s negotiating committee remains uncertain. A common understanding on certain AI issues has been reached, although not every item on the union’s list was met.
Looking to the future, the AMPTP has committed to continuing discussions around AI over the next two and a half years as technology advances – underscoring the significance of these negotiations.
(Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.)
