us. And that was the moment where it hit me that this is really about all the workers, all the professional workers around the world.
Hollywood’s double-strike era, which saw the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA going on strike in the early 2000s, seemed to be a distant memory. But just when industry insiders thought labor peace was the new normal, another negotiation process began in 2024, with streaming taking the center stage as a major battleground.
“I have to say that it was when I made that speech way back, the day when we [SAG-AFTRA] said that we’re going on strike. We went into the press room and I gave that speech that went around the world and ignited a workers’ movement — that was when I knew this was a historic moment. I always knew this had to be seminal, this negotiation. But that speech and how it resonated with people made me realize that this was bigger than the sum of its parts. What we were doing was important to more than just us because the eyes of workers around the world were watching, were with us. And that was the moment where it hit me that this is really about all the workers, all the professional workers around the world.”
Drescher emphasizes that the new three-year contract is not just a win for the union. By fighting against the changes that streaming platforms have brought to the industry and the use of artificial intelligence, the union has created a blueprint for the future of fair compensation, worker protections, and industry sustainability for working actors and performers.
“The new stream of revenue for members on SVOD is very important and really a big accomplishment,” Drescher said. “And I think that the AI protections remain something that we are constantly going to have to monitor and fight for the level of protections whereby our members will not be duplicated or synthesized in any way without consent and compensation.”
But Drescher is no stranger to speaking up for what she believes is right. In interviews with Sen. Bernie Sanders, she raised eyebrows by calling out Hollywood mogul Bob Iger as an “ignoramus.” She also attended a Dolce & Gabbana event in Italy in the middle of negotiations with industry CEOs. Her impassioned fight for an industry that is more hospitable to working actors has won her many new fans and respect within the union.
Looking ahead, Drescher is already focusing on the next steps. The provisional deal that ended the 118-day strike has set the stage for SAG-AFTRA to capitalize on the newfound name recognition and standing that Drescher has amassed. She is enthusiastic about leveraging this for the greater good and continuing to fight for the rights and fair compensation of all union members.
In the wake of the strike, Drescher is hopeful that SAG-AFTRA is entering its “golden age.” She envisions a future where the union’s negotiating committee becomes a tight-knit family, uniting members in solidarity, and achieving a new sensibility within the union. Drescher’s commitment to listening to and understanding the needs of all her members is shaping a new era for SAG-AFTRA, where all voices are heard, valued, and represented in the fight for fair treatment in the entertainment industry.
As she steps back from the intense negotiations, Fran Drescher can look back on the strike knowing she has made significant strides in shaping a fair and sustainable future for working actors. The next chapter in her career may be wide open, but one thing is for sure: she will continue to be an advocate for the rights and fair compensation of all union members, making a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
In summary, Fran Drescher and the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee’s tireless efforts and commitment have led to a groundbreaking three-year contract deal that not only benefits the 160,000 union members but also sets a new standard for fair compensation and worker protections in the entertainment industry. As she turns her attention to the future, Drescher remains dedicated to leveraging her newfound name recognition to advocate for the greater good and ensure that all union members are valued and represented in the fight for fair treatment.