SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Urges CEOs to Step Up and Strike a Fair Deal, Reviving Hollywood’s Workforce – Guest Column

Editor’s note: It’s been almost a week since the actors union and the writers guild went on strike together for the first time since 1960. Picket lines have sprung up all over LA and NYC, but there are currently no new negotiations planned between SAG-AFTRA, the WGA, and the studios and streamers. Despite the divisions and silence, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland remains optimistic that a new contract and a better future for all is possible. Hollywood is at a standstill. You’ve probably seen the headlines and the photos and videos of actors standing in solidarity on the picket lines. This is the first time in over 60 years that SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have gone on strike simultaneously. Today, Netflix is set to hold its first earnings call since the strikes began, but their report won’t reflect the real pain caused by the work stoppage. Summer blockbusters like Barbie and Oppenheimer can’t be promoted by guild members, and production has come to a halt. Our members and others in the industry are making sacrifices because their livelihoods are on the line. Strikes are always a last resort, and no one wants to shut down the industry. The consequences affect our members and workers throughout the industry. Despite these challenges, SAG-AFTRA’s member solidarity is stronger than ever. Our 160,000 members voted overwhelmingly in favor of this strike, and thousands have joined our picket lines to send a message to the studios and streamers. We will continue to stand firm in our commitment to this strike until our members are treated fairly and with respect. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers must recognize the impact of industry shifts on the creators of their content and offer a fair deal that reflects the realities of today’s industry. What we’re really talking about here is the livelihoods of workers versus studio profits. Acting salaries have remained stagnant while studio profits have soared. It’s unfair that middle-class acting careers are becoming less sustainable as the industry grows. We need to focus on protecting the creative industry and those who produce the art that Americans consume every day. In 2023, we need more than just talk. We need concrete action in the form of an agreement that protects working actors. This deal must address issues of basic dignity and respect, such as equal treatment for hair and makeup and timely paychecks. These are non-negotiables for a fair deal. SAG-AFTRA will always fight for the dignity of our members and will not apologize for demanding the fair treatment they deserve. It’s time for studio and streamer CEOs to step up, get personally involved, and come to the table. We can find a way for both studios and workers to win. Let’s move forward to a future where all workers are respected and equitable contracts are in place for the creators who are essential to the industry. Let’s get back to running the dream factory that drew many of us to this industry in the first place.