Get ready for some drama in Hollywood! SAG-AFTRA members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike if upcoming contract talks fail to produce a satisfactory agreement by June 30. The vote was a whopping 97.91% in favor, with almost half of eligible members casting their ballots. This news comes just as the guild is set to begin bargaining for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and in the midst of the ongoing Writers Guild strike.
In response to the vote, the AMPTP released a statement saying they are approaching negotiations with the goal of achieving a new agreement that benefits SAG-AFTRA members and the industry as a whole. But SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher is ready to fight for what she believes in, saying, “Together we lock elbows and in unity we build a new contract that honors our contributions in this remarkable industry, reflects the new digital and streaming business model and brings ALL our concerns for protections and benefits into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we are in it to win it.”
National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland echoed Drescher’s sentiments, stating that this overwhelming yes vote is a clear statement that it’s time for an evolution in this contract. The union is demanding a fair deal for its members from the AMPTP, and while they regard a strike as a last resort, they believe they must be ready for any eventuality and have all the leverage possible to secure the best deal.
This could be one of the most consequential negotiations in the union’s history, as inflation, dwindling residuals due to streaming, and generative AI all threaten actors’ ability to earn a livelihood if their contracts are not adapted to reflect the new realities. SAG-AFTRA is entering negotiations in good faith, but they are prepared to take action and demand seminal change if necessary. The last time the guild struck the film and TV industry was in 1980, but with such a resounding vote in favor of a strike, it seems like anything could happen. Stay tuned!
