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a really rewarding moment. And then even toward the end of negotiations, when we made a lot of progress in reducing the obstacles to making it work — that was also very rewarding, because I think it was clear that we were ultimately going to get the kind of things we needed for our members.
How does the end of the strike impact not only SAG-AFTRA members, but industry workers in general? Obviously, the members are going to be able to return to work and finally have the chance to actually get paid for the jobs they do. That’s kind of the most basic and obvious impact. It also signifies a sense of optimism for workers because I think it’s also a signal to the industry at large that the union has a well-functioning structure, that we are able to achieve good results for our members, and that we have every right to strike if we need to. That’s actually important because by getting the kind of agreement we did, I think that their general sense of security is also improved, not just during this rounds of negotiations, but in general. Strikes can have dramatic effects on the job market, and once they’re removed, roles increase, work gets started again and so forth, and I think that’s crucial. What would you tell members to expect once they return to work? How will union members’ work lives change now that they have a new contract? That’s hard to say for sure, I mean generally I think that they can expect to see improvements in their compensation as a person, their voice in their image and the use of it, and a whole wide range of workplace conditions, meal penalties, the right to be clean and other such issues. For the most part, I just think workers should expect better respect and fairness in the workplace. It’s always the case after these agreements are reached, because that’s the stuff that we negotiate so hard for. How does this strike fit within the larger context of organized labor today and going forward? Well, I think that in the larger context, organized labor across the U.S. is facing a fairly challenging political and legal environment. It’s really important to stand up for workers against the large corporations and that’s actually what collective bargaining does. I think our own strike, along with others that are happening, is a very significant signal about government woodchip union members who are successful, who can endure and show that it’s worth it. Lastly, I believe that SAG-AFTRA, as a labor union, needs to be ultimately focused on the future and this strike and its resulting agreement are very much connects with the labor department work that we advocated for. So, I think that’s an important part of it.
Overall, the end of the 118-day actors’ strike heralds a significant relief for SAG-AFTRA members and a broader symbol of potential change for labor practices in Hollywood and perhaps beyond. The new agreement represents a critical step forward for the protection of actors in the face of emerging technologies like AI and the evolving business models of streaming services. As labor unions continue to face challenges in the political and legal landscape, the successful outcome of the SAG-AFTRA strike serves as a reminder of the importance of collective bargaining to advocate for and secure the rights of workers in a changing economy. With the hope for a more optimistic future, the return to work for SAG-AFTRA members is accompanied by the expectation of better respect, fairness, and workplace conditions, marking the tangible impact of the labor negotiations on the lives of individual performers. As SAG-AFTRA continues to prioritize the needs and rights of its members, the strike and subsequent agreement represent a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and fair treatment in the entertainment industry and serve as a testament to the importance of unified collective action in shaping the future of labor practices in Hollywood and across the nation.
