Actors authorize possible strike with Hollywood writers still protesting
The news
The union representing more than 160,000 film and television actors voted Monday night to authorize a strike, two days before negotiations for a new employment contract with the Hollywood studios begin. The result from members of the SAG-AFTRA union, with 98 percent authorizing a strike, was expected, and it came during the sixth week of a strike by Hollywood writers and just a day after the Directors Guild of America provisionally agreed to a new contract.
“Together we close 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 of our protection and benefit concerns to the present!” Fran Drescher, the president of the actors’ union, said in a statement.
About 65,000 members cast their votes, or 48 percent of eligible voters. The actors’ current agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which negotiates on behalf of the studios, expires June 30.
Why it matters: The actors have the same concerns as the writers.
Many of the actors’ concerns reflect what the Writers Guild of America is fighting for: higher wages; increased residual payments for their work, especially for content on streaming services; and protection against the use of unauthorized actor likenesses as part of the enhanced capabilities of artificial intelligence. According to the writers, the studios offered little more than “annual meetings to discuss” artificial intelligence, and refused to negotiate limits on the technology.
In contrast, the Directors Guild said on Sunday it had reached a “groundbreaking agreement that affirms that AI is not a person and that generative AI cannot replace members’ duties.” Details about what that meant were not disclosed.
Background: It’s been a long time since the last actors’ strike.
The last time the actors went on strike was in 2000 over a commercial pay dispute. The strike lasted nearly six months.
What’s Next: Negotiations begin on Wednesday.
As negotiations are expected to begin on Wednesday, SAG-AFTRA is optimistic about what this strike authorization means. “Obviously we’re coming from a position of strength, but we don’t intend to strike,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief negotiator. “We’re here to make a deal.” He added: “But we are also not going to accept anything less than what our members earn. If that requires a strike, we are prepared.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a statement that “we are approaching these negotiations with the goal of reaching a new agreement that is beneficial to SAG-AFTRA members and the industry at large.”