SAG-AFTRA Hollywood actors formally end four month strike: Ratify three-year contract after industrial action brought Tinseltown to its knees

Hollywood actors voted to ratify the agreement with the studios, which ended the strike nearly four months later, officially ending the labor dispute that has rocked the entertainment industry for much of 2023.

Members approve three-year contract Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced Tuesday night by union leaders, there was uncertainty as some prominent members expressed opposition to the deal their negotiators agreed upon.

The result of the voting, which began on November 13 and ended on Tuesday, at 78%, is very far from almost unanimous approval and the widespread enthusiasm of the members The Writers Guild struck a deal that ended their strike. in September.

Rejection of the agreement would mean a return to the negotiating table and, with it, the possibility that the incumbents would resume the strike if leaders called for it.

AG-AFTRA members and supporters chant outside Paramount Studios on Day 118 of the Hollywood Studios Strike on November 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

But the result comes as a big relief to SAG-AFTRA leaders and the entertainment industry, which trying to get back to normal life after months of labor struggle. And it marks the final, official end to Hollywood’s most turbulent year for unions in half a century. two historical blows it shocked the industry.

Just over 38% of members voted, according to SAG-AFTRA. All 145,000 members could vote on the agreement, not just the roughly 60,000 television and film actors who went on strike and are contract workers.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, told The Associated Press on Tuesday evening. “I think almost 80% yes vote with almost 40% turnout from our members is really unprecedented for any type of contract where it’s not just a unanimous chorus of yes.”

Some members agreed.

“More upvotes than I expected and I’m very happy to see this because despite the loud voices of complaint on social media, it shows that the membership is still strong and united,” the “Don’t” actor wrote on X can wait” Ethan Embry, formerly known as Twitter. ‘Get back to work.’

Rejection of the agreement would mean a return to the negotiating table and, with it, the possibility that the incumbents would resume the strike if leaders called for it.

The union released the actors so they could return to work. declare the strike over as soon as a tentative agreement was reached on November 8th with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios, streaming services and production companies in union negotiations. Two days later it was approved by the guild council with 86% of the votes.

SAG-AFTRA members and supporters picket outside the Netflix studios on day 118 of the strike against Hollywood studios on November 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk along the picket line during the ongoing strike outside the Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California on September 22, 2023.

“AMPTP member companies congratulate SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of the new contract, which represents historic benefits and protections for performers,” AMPTP said in a statement Tuesday evening. “With this vote, the industry and the jobs it supports can return to full strength.”

Usage control artificial intelligence was the most difficult issue in the long methodical negotiations and became a major point of contention during the vote.

“The reality is that there are members who have spoken a lot over the last three weeks about their concerns, primarily around artificial intelligence. I’m very, very mindful of them and I think their concerns are legitimate,” Crabtree-Ireland said. “I also firmly believe that the approach we took and what we achieved in these negotiations was the best possible way to address the AI ​​issue at this time with these companies and in this industry.”

President of SAG-AFTRA Fran Drescher told The Associated Press. shortly after a resolution was reached that artificial intelligence-assisted reproduction of actors could only be used with their informed consent and compensation was a “deal breaker” in the negotiations.

But they didn’t fight hard enough for some prominent members, including actors Justine Bateman and Matthew Modine, who cited the issue as a reason to vote no and raised fears that many voters would follow their lead.

Striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) members picket with striking SAG-AFTRA members outside the Netflix studio on September 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

People picket on behalf of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and carry signs outside Netflix on September 27, 2023 in Los Angeles.

: Striking SAG-AFTRA members picket as WGA (Writers Guild of America) members march in solidarity outside Paramount Studios on October 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

“I cannot approve a contract that jeopardizes the independence and financial future of the performers,” Modine, who ran against Drescher for union president in 2021 and was also among the board members who rejected the deal, said in a statement. “It is deliberately vague and requires union members to give up their autonomy… Consent is capitulation.”

But many other famous actors have expressed strong support for the agreement, including an Academy Award winner. Jessica Chastain And Colman Domingowho received a lot of Oscar buzz this year for his role in ” Rustin.’

“I think we’ve got an incredible deal, I think it’s smart and moving forward.” Domingo told the AP. last week. “I’m very happy about this. I voted yes.”

Crabtree-Ireland stressed that participants were pleased with the financial benefits of the deal.

“If we had put aside the issue of artificial intelligence, it would probably have been ratified by 99% of members,” he said.

The contract provides for an overall salary increase of 7%, with further increases in the second and third years of the agreement.

The deal also includes a hard-won provision that temporarily derailed negotiations: the creation of a fund to pay artists for future views of their work on streaming services, in addition to traditional remains pay for showing films or TV series.

The provision is an attempt to bring payment systems in line with an industry now dominated by streaming data, a reality that will almost certainly spark more labor disputes—and perhaps more strikes—in the coming years.