SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal with Hollywood Studios to End Actors' Strike
SAG-AFTRA's negotiating committee approved the agreement in a unanimous vote, and the deal is expected to go to the union’s national board on Friday for approval
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SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director/Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland picket in Los Angeles on July 14, 2023The end of the actors' strike is in sight.
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The strike is set to officially end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, after beginning on July 14.
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Related: Everything to Know About the SAG Strike and How It Will Affect TV and Movies
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SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director/Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference at the labor union's headquarters in Los Angeles on July 13, 2023SAG-AFTRA approved the agreement in a unanimous vote, and the deal is expected to go to the union’s national board on Friday for approval.
Many actors shared their reactions on social media. Alec Baldwin posted a video on Instagram with the caption, "The SAG-AFTRA strike has ended. Congratulations to each and every person, on both sides, who are responsible for this great occasion." Rosie Perez wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Say what???? YAY!!! The strike is over!!!!! @sagaftra."
Octavia Spencer shared a screenshot of a news article on Instagram and wrote, "Ready to work now that the strike is over! 🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee! Proud to stand in solidarity with all SAG members over the last 118 days 🎉🥳👏🏾🎊🙌🏽🍾 #SAGstrike #SAGstrong"
VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty
SAG-AFTRA originally announced it initiated a strike after failed contract negotiations with Hollywood studios on July 13, just over a month after negotiations originally began.
Actors sought better compensation and benefit plans, as the rise of streaming services and complications resulting from the streaming model have contributed to a decline in wages and residuals.
They also were looking for protections against the impact of artificial intelligence on their work.
After SAG members voted 97.91% in favor of a strike authorization on June 5, guild president Fran Drescher released a statement saying: “Together we lock 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 our concerns for protections and benefits into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we are in it to win it.”
Drescher also shared a screenshot of The Hollywood Reporter's announcement. For her caption, she wrote, "We did it!!!! The Billion+ $ Deal! 3X the last contract! New ground was broke everywhere! Ty sag aftra members for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal! Ty neg comm, strike captains, staff, Duncan & Ray, our lawyers, the IA team , family and friends. Our sister unions for their unrelenting support! And the amptp for hearing us and meeting this moment! #sagaftrastrong."
John Nacion/Getty
Daniel Radcliffe and Erin Darke on July 21, 2023Following SAG-AFTRA's official announcement that it was on strike, many actors took to the picket lines.
Some of Hollywood's biggest stars even donated $1 million each or more to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program to help their fellow industry professionals, including George and Amal Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, Matt and Luciana Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Nicole Kidman and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached its own agreement with Hollywood studios to end the writers' strike in September.
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Kal Penn and John Cho on Sept. 13, 2023Related: Dwayne Johnson Makes 'Historic Donation' to SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund amid Ongoing Strike
The writers' strike, which first started on May 2, had lasted more than 140 days as the union representing entertainment writers working across film, television, news and online media demanded better pay and stipulations over other key points, including staffing commitments and duration of employment.
The WGA's deal was struck with the AMPTP — which represents Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — after the two groups met face-to-face Sept. 20, and again virtually on Sept. 24.
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