SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, is optimistic about the upcoming meeting between the Writers Guild and the AMPTP. While the actors eagerly await their turn at the bargaining table, Crabtree-Ireland believes that progress and momentum may be sparked by the meeting. However, he admits that they have not yet received any outreach from the AMPTP.
Crabtree-Ireland fully supports the Writers Guild and understands why they are being prioritized in negotiations. He believes that the writers’ strike, which has lasted over 100 days, is an important issue that needs to be addressed. SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild are in constant coordination and stand in solidarity with each other.
In the wake of the Writers Guild’s 100-day strike milestone, Crabtree-Ireland explains why it has been crucial for SAG-AFTRA to stand alongside the writers from the beginning. When SAG-AFTRA declared their own strike on day 73 of the WGA strike, it provided a much-needed boost to the picketers. Solidarity between the two unions strengthens their efforts and gives them a better chance of achieving a fair deal.
Crabtree-Ireland also discusses the importance of the controversial interim agreements. He believes that these agreements prove that the studios’ claims of unrealistic contract proposals are false. Independent producers have shown that they can work under these terms, so there is no reason why the studios, with their greater resources, cannot do the same. Additionally, the interim agreements provide employment opportunities for crew members outside of the AMPTP’s reach.
The projects covered by the interim agreements not only benefit stars but also employ crew members, background actors, and day players. These individuals rely on the work to mitigate the damage caused by the AMPTP’s refusal to make a fair deal. Crabtree-Ireland emphasizes that there are numerous reasons why interim agreements are a good idea, and there is strong support for them among SAG-AFTRA members.
