SAG-AFTRA Agrees To Federal Mediator, But Not Extending Strike Deadline
Image Source: CBS News
The actor’s guild SAG-AFTRA has promised to go on strike by midnight on July 12 if they can’t reach an agreement with AMPTP. In a final attempt to avoid a strike, the studios called in The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, hoping that an outside influence could speed both pirates toward a mutual agreement. SAG-AFTRA agreed to the mediation but refused to change their deadline. The union explained, “We will not be distracted from negotiating in good faith to secure a fair and just deal by the expiration of our agreement. We are committed to the negotiating process and will explore and exhaust every possible opportunity to make a deal, however we are not confident that the employers have any intention of bargaining toward an agreement.”
SAG-AFTRA also drew intention to what they called a manipulative tactic. In an official statement, the union said, “We condemn the tactic outlined in today’s inaccurate Variety piece naming the CEOs of several entertainment conglomerates as the force behind the request for mediation; information that was leaked to the press by the CEOs and their ‘anonymous sources’ before our negotiators were even told of the request for mediation. The AMPTP has abused our trust and damaged the respect we have for them in this process. We will not be manipulated by this cynical ploy to engineer an extension when the companies have had more than enough time to make a fair deal.”
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Image Source: ABC7
The actor’s guild has consistently cited fair compensation to reflect the change to streaming services and protections from AI technology as part of their reasons for a strike. The union reminded AMPTP about the July 12 deadline, “SAG-AFTRA represents performers. We are here to get a deal that ensures our members can earn a living wage in our expansive industry we help make possible with our work. The AMPTP can make this happen at any time. They know what our members need and when they bring that to the table, we will be listening, but it’s important to know – time is running out.” If the strike happens, Hollywood would be short on both actors and writers from their current WGA strike, making it difficult to produce any new content.
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Source(s): Deadline, Variety, Los Angeles Times
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