SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations for a new contract are making progress in some areas, but facing challenges in others, according to Fran Drescher, the guild’s president. In an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, Drescher expressed the union’s unprecedented support from its members and the possibility of a strike if a satisfactory deal is not reached by the contract expiration on June 30th. Host Michael Strahan asked if they were making headway, to which Drescher responded that they were in some areas, but not in others. She emphasized the need to adapt to the digital age and streaming platforms, which have changed the business model significantly. Drescher is determined to fight for the rights and fair treatment of the guild’s 180,000 members, and expressed solidarity with the Writers Guild.
On June 5th, SAG-AFTRA members voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike if the contract negotiations fail to produce an acceptable deal. However, in a video posted by Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the guild’s national executive director, they remained optimistic about the negotiations and believed a fair agreement could be reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Despite this, over 1,000 actors, including prominent SAG-AFTRA members, signed a letter expressing their preparedness to strike if the guild does not achieve their goals in the talks. Drescher herself signed the letter.
The guild’s key bargaining issues include economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence, and addressing the challenges of self-taping auditions. They aim to ensure fair compensation for performers, protect their rights in the digital age, and alleviate the burdens of industry-wide changes. The guild also mentioned that other important issues specific to different careers and categories will be discussed during negotiations.
Overall, the negotiations are a crucial moment for SAG-AFTRA and its members, as they strive to secure a contract that reflects the changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
