Recent headlines have been dominated by news of potential strikes in the entertainment industry, particularly involving SAG-AFTRA. SAG-AFTRA is the union that represents actors in film and television productions in the United States. They are currently gearing up for a possible strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade group that negotiates with unions on behalf of studios, broadcast networks, and streaming services. If a strike were to occur, it would halt production on most movies and TV shows featuring live performers until an agreement is reached. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Hollywood labor relations and explain why SAG-AFTRA is considering a strike.
SAG-AFTRA operates by utilizing collective bargaining to gain leverage. The majority of actors with on-camera experience are members of this union. Being a member of SAG-AFTRA means actors cannot work on productions that do not have a union agreement in place. Whether it’s independent films, short films, or student films, any project that wants to work with SAG-AFTRA actors must first obtain a pre-existing agreement from the union. These agreements determine actors’ payment, residuals, and working conditions. SAG-AFTRA also has an overall contract with the AMPTP, which represents major studios and streaming platforms. This contract is renegotiated every three years and essentially determines the quality of paid acting jobs in the industry. As the expiration date of the contract approaches, negotiating teams from SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP meet to discuss updates and resolve any disputes, ensuring a smooth transition from one contract to the next. However, the most recent contract expired on June 30 without a new deal in place.
The entertainment industry has been experiencing a wave of labor disputes. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA), which represent writers and directors respectively, also operate on three-year contracts with the AMPTP. In recent years, these contracts have been synchronized to expire consecutively, starting with the WGA. The WGA’s contract expired on May 30, prompting their members to go on strike. The primary reason for the strike is the unattainability of a sustainable income for writers due to the growing influence of streaming services, which pay less under the current agreements. The entertainment industry experienced a major writers’ strike in 2008, and a similar situation almost occurred in 2017. With streaming services disrupting the industry, there’s hope that a “triple strike” involving the DGA and SAG-AFTRA may occur alongside the WGA’s strike.
In anticipation of negotiations, SAG-AFTRA conducted a strike authorization vote. If approved by a majority of members, a strike authorization empowers the negotiating team to call for a strike if deemed necessary. Unions typically resort to this measure when negotiations are not progressing favorably. The AMPTP and WGA engaged in such a vote before. Opting for a strike authorization before negotiations officially begin is a strong indicator of the union’s resolve. The authorization passed with 97.6% support from SAG-AFTRA members.
SAG-AFTRA seeks various improvements in their negotiations with the AMPTP. While specifics are not disclosed, the union has emphasized the need for better pay, increased contributions to the union’s pension and health fund, and equitable residuals from streaming services. SAG-AFTRA also wants additional regulation for self-taped auditions, which have become common in the industry. Instead of attending casting sessions, actors are expected to record themselves, which places a burden on them to acquire recording equipment and find a scene partner. Another concern is the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on acting jobs. The rise of generative AI poses a threat to creative workers, particularly voiceover actors who already face competition from AI-generated performances.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether SAG-AFTRA will proceed with a strike. The negotiating deadline expired on June 30 but has been extended until July 12. While the strike has been authorized, the union is not obligated to initiate it. There are concerns that the negotiating team might accept an inadequate deal, leading many members, including notable actors like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence, to express their willingness to strike. It’s not uncommon for there to be a divide between union leadership and rank-and-file members. However, recent developments indicate that SAG-AFTRA leadership is aligning with its members, as demonstrated by survey cards being sent to every member to gauge their readiness to join a potential picket line.
The last time actors and writers went on strike together was in 1960, resulting in the establishment of a residual system that supported an entertainment industry “middle class” for decades. A similar victory in today’s landscape can inspire a new generation of workers to unite and demand fair treatment.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
