Written by Kianna Best on Nov 9, 2023. Posted in General Interest

SAG-AFTRA approves deal to bring strike to an end

After 118 days, the longest in Hollywood history, SAG-AFTRA members celebrated as the union announced a new tentative agreement with studios and streamers. Along with including protections against artificial intelligence, the deal will see most minimums increasing by 7%, and a “streaming participation bonus”. The agreement will go in for SAG-AFTRA national board approval on Friday.

“We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers,” commented the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee in their announcement. “Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work.”

Hollywood has returned to its full capacity today as SAG-AFTRA announced the end to the longest actors strike in the history of the union. Following the WGA strikes from May, the actors of America followed suit on 14 July over a labour dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producer (AMPTP). But today, the financial strain, that has not only been faced by the studios but also the millions of industry workers Stateside and beyond, has entered the staged to correct itself.

Valued at over USD 1 billion, the deal sees a historic pay increase for SAG-AFTRA members as well as improvements to pension and health caps, improvements to compensation for background performers, and provisions protecting diverse communities. Much like the WGA, artificial intelligence is a looming presence amongst screen industry professionals, leading to the demands of both unions over clearer parameters about what that means for their respective work. With better protections laid out in the deal, SAG-AFTRA have seemingly achieved that. In addition to their 7% minimums increase, they have also received the first ever “streaming participation bonus”.

Whilst the millions of Americans displaced by the industry wide strikes can expect to return to somewhat of a normal, the same goes for those overseas. SAG-AFTRA strikes brought a halt to projects such as The White Lotus’ third season, which was filming in Thailand, Emily in Paris, pushed back since the WGA strike, and the much anticipated UK shot Wicked film. As a result, workers across makeup, set building, casting, location scouting, and other roles either directly or indirectly related to the industry, faced a dry spell from the saturated American production pool.

However, as the deal awaits its Friday agreement, many reports saw signs of elation from members as the announcement was made. As the creative foundation to the industry, the respective unions, successfully applied the pressure on the once reluctant studios and streamers, coming out on top. But whilst entering the high of their new post-strike normal, the industry’s production decline may pose more problems to tackle ahead.