Speaking to CNN on Thursday, Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, expressed her pride and excitement after the union successfully concluded its historic 118-day-long strike. The strike had international repercussions, making headlines in many countries and igniting a global workers’ movement. Unions worldwide stood in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, recognizing the significance of their fight for performers across the world.
Gabrielle Carteris, former SAG-AFTRA president and current head of the International Federation of Actors (FIA), which represents performers in over 60 countries, praised the union’s efforts in bringing attention to the impact of streaming and artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry and workers’ livelihood. FIA General Secretary, Dominick Luquer, emphasized that SAG-AFTRA’s accomplishment would strengthen the resolve of performer unions globally to fight for better standards, respect, and equity in the face of a rapidly globalizing industry.
While producers welcomed the end of the U.S. actors strike, they also expressed concern over the potential for labor disputes to go global. Lourdes Diaz, Chief Creative Officer at AGC Studios, noted that the European industry was already starting to come together, hinting at potential upheaval on the horizon. The sentiments were echoed by Equity, the British actors’ union, which declared itself “strike ready” and prepared to take industrial action in negotiations with U.K. producers.
Other international guilds and unions, such as ACTRA in Canada, voiced similar concerns and discussed their preparedness for future labor battles. Marie Kelly, national executive director and lead negotiator for ACTRA, highlighted the issues Canadian performers faced, aligning them with those of their American counterparts. The common ground found in such challenges paved the way for the union’s resolve in upcoming negotiations with North American producers.
Labor disputes and strikes have been less common among international entertainment unions compared to Hollywood, but the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike has raised awareness and unity among performers and workers globally. The issues of fair compensation, the influence of AI on creative work, and workers’ rights resonate with actors and entertainers around the world. The success of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with the AMPTP has sparked hope for a fair and equitable understanding that can cascade to other countries and their industries.
Looking back at past labor disputes, such as ACTRA’s strike in 2007, and the resolve shown by unions such as Equity in the U.K., it is evident that international performers and guilds have been prepared to stand firm in the face of challenges and fight for their rights. The wave of unity and solidarity among global entertainment workers will likely influence future negotiations and potential disputes as the industry navigates the changes brought about by new technologies and globalized workforces.
The impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike and its ripple effects around the world underscore the collective fight for performers’ rights and fair compensation in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry. As performers unite across borders and challenges, the movement towards greater equity and respect for workers continues to gain momentum, inspiring hope for a more harmonious and balanced industry on a global scale.
