The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced that its members will go on strike tonight after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). SAG-AFTRA, representing approximately 160,000 entertainment industry workers, made the decision after the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s proposals were deemed insulting and disrespectful. The strike comes just hours after the Emmy Awards nominations were announced and after the already-extended deadline for a new labor contract had passed.
In response to the strike announcement, the AMPTP expressed disappointment and blamed SAG-AFTRA for the breakdown in negotiations. The AMPTP claimed to have offered historic pay and residual increases, improved pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, and an AI proposal to protect actors’ digital likenesses. They accused SAG-AFTRA of dismissing these offers and putting the industry’s livelihoods at risk.
The negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have been overshadowed by the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America. Like the WGA, SAG-AFTRA considers the industry’s adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools as a critical issue to be addressed. The union has been pushing for regulations to ensure better protections against AI tools in the industry.
Back in June, 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorize a strike, making their desire for more comprehensive AI regulations clear. However, by the end of June, there had been no noticeable progress in negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP. The talks were extended in the hopes of reaching an agreement, but with no success. SAG-AFTRA members have been advocating for a transformative new contract that includes better minimum wages, improved healthcare access, and a fairer residual payments system.
Despite their consistent demands throughout the negotiation process, the AMPTP was asking actors to trust them to forge a path forward. However, the recent episode of the TV show “Black Mirror,” titled “Joan Is Awful,” has reportedly increased fears among SAG-AFTRA members about the role of AI in their profession, making trust difficult to come by.
Senior executives from various studios, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and Disney, held a conference call on Monday to discuss potential strike-avoidance measures, such as involving the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. SAG-AFTRA, however, sees this as another attempt by the producers to prolong negotiations further.
The union has accused the AMPTP of abusing their trust and vowed not to be manipulated into accepting further extensions. Despite the potential financial hardships a strike may cause, SAG-AFTRA members view the fight as necessary to prevent a system that concentrates profits among a select few and potentially forces workers out of the industry.
The AMPTP claims to be committed to reaching a deal, and SAG-AFTRA’s request is simple: meet the unions and workers where they are and address their concerns. The strike marks a critical moment for the entertainment industry, and its outcome will shape the future of labor relations in Hollywood.
Disclaimer: The editorial staff of The Verge is also unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East.
This story is developing…
