Breaking News: SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP Extend Contract to Continue Negotiations
In an exciting development, SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have agreed to extend their current film and TV contract until July 12. This extension will allow both sides to continue bargaining for a new deal. The original contract was set to expire tonight at midnight PT, which could have led to a second major Hollywood guild going on strike against the studios.
In a joint statement, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP announced, “The agreements, which were set to expire at 11:59 p.m. PT tonight, will now expire on July 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. The parties will continue to negotiate under a mutually agreed upon media blackout. Neither organization will comment to the media about the negotiations during the extension.”
This extension comes as no surprise, as SAG-AFTRA and the studios have done the same in the past. In 2014 and 2017, they extended their contract before reaching deals in early July. With the extension now in place, negotiations can continue without the pressure of an immediate deadline.
While talks may slow down during the Fourth of July holiday, both sides remain committed to reaching a fair deal. An insider revealed, “Yeah, they’ll probably be talking a bit over the weekend, but they really won’t get back to the table until after the holiday.” This additional week gives them more time to work towards an agreement, although a deal or a strike could still happen before the new deadline.
It’s worth noting that this extension comes amidst a grassroots campaign by guild members. Over 1,700 actors, including prominent SAG-AFTRA members, signed a letter urging the guild to stand strong at the bargaining table and even join the Writers Guild on the picket lines if necessary. The ongoing Writers Guild strike, now in its 60th day, has added to the urgency of these negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland remain optimistic about the negotiations. In a video posted last Saturday, they assured members that progress was being made. However, Drescher also acknowledged that there were areas where they still had work to do.
The guild’s key bargaining issues include economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence, and addressing the challenges of self-taped auditions. SAG-AFTRA is determined to ensure that its members can make a living in the industry and receive fair compensation for their work.
As negotiations continue, the industry eagerly awaits the outcome. Will a fair deal be reached, or will a strike be on the horizon? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
