In a significant development within Hollywood’s labor community, a bombshell letter was sent by hundreds of A-list actors to their union leaders, urging them to negotiate a transformative deal with studios and streamers. The letter, signed by notable celebrities like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, expressed their resolve to strike if a satisfactory compromise was not reached before the expiration of their union’s current TV and film contracts.
The letter gained even more traction after it was read by union negotiators and leaders, leading to hundreds more actors signing on. Some of the additional signatories reportedly include Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, and Amanda Seyfried. As of now, the letter has attracted over 2,000 signatures, although volunteers are in the process of verifying them.
However, it is worth noting that SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher’s name appeared on the Google Doc version of the letter, but it is unclear if she actually signed it. The organizers behind the letter, Amy Schumer, Paul Scheer, and Paul Downs, have declined to comment on the matter.
The letter spread quickly among potential signatories, with SAG-AFTRA members rushing to add their names once it became public. Another wave of names was invited to join, resulting in more than 600 additional signatures. Celebrities like Zach Woods expressed gratitude for being included, emphasizing the importance of the letter’s thoughtful and courageous stance.
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The timing of the letter was critical as it coincided with the impending expiration of SAG-AFTRA’s current contract package. Union members had already authorized their leaders to call for a strike if the negotiations took a turn for the worse once the contracts expired on June 30. An overwhelming 98 percent of voting members supported the potential work stoppage in such a scenario.
The joint efforts of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA members were instrumental in rallying support for the letter. They aimed to make a strong case to the union leadership, especially in collaboration with the WGA. The positive comments regarding the negotiations from union president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland seemed to indicate progress, leading to optimism within the union about achieving a transformative deal.
Some signatories of the letter expressed concerns about the union’s leadership and emphasized their willingness to make sacrifices, indicating that the members’ resolve may be stronger than the leadership’s. They called for significant changes to minimum rates, streaming residuals, exclusivity provisions, and addressed their concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on their profession. The signatories stated their intention to reverse the undermining of their wages, craft, creative freedom, and the power of their union over the past decade.
While the inclusion of high-profile and high-earning celebrities in the letter garnered attention, the joint goal of SAG-AFTRA and WGA is to provide all members with more sustainable livelihoods. Working actors who are trying to make a living believe that their voices also need to be heard alongside the A-listers. They echo the sentiment that the time for a new deal is now.
In addition to well-known names, board members like Chuck Slavin from the union’s New England Local also signed the letter. Slavin emphasized the letter’s significance in reaffirming the commitment of the signatories to hold the union’s leadership accountable. He pointed out that recent contracts, particularly with the advent of streaming, have severely impacted the earnings of background artists and Hollywood stars alike.
The letter signifies a new era of energy within Hollywood’s labor community. The collective determination shown by A-list actors and the growing number of signatories represents a united front that demands significant changes for the benefit of all members. As negotiations continue, the letter serves as a reminder that the working actors who contribute to the industry’s success are essential and deserving of fair treatment. The commitment to achieving a transformative deal reflects the industry’s evolving landscape and the need to address emerging challenges, such as AI’s impact on the profession.
