SAG-AFTRA Officially Joins The WGA In The Fight Against The AMPTP
Image Source: 23ABC News Bakersfield
As the actor’s guild SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach an agreement, the union is officially on strike. Fran Drescher, president of the Actor’s Guild, criticized the AMPTP for the treatment of their workers. She said, “SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer needs, but the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry. The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.”
The AMPTP sees things from a different perspective. The organization claimed that the strike was entirely the decision of the actors. “We are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations. This is the Union’s choice, not ours. In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses, and more. Rather than continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.”
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Image Source: CBS News
SAG-AFTRA’s reasons for the strike include compensation for using actors’ likenesses with AI software and residuals that match the success of streaming shows. The studios have not provided any streaming data, leaving the union to rely on the third-party data firm Parrot Analytics. The union wrote in a letter to its members, “As you know, over the past decade, your compensation has been severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem. Furthermore, artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions, and all actors and performers deserve contract language that protects them from having their identity and talent exploited without consent and pay. Despite our team’s dedication to advocating on your behalf, the AMPTP has refused to acknowledge that enormous shifts in the industry and economy have had a detrimental impact on those who perform labor for the studios.”
SAG-AFTRA will once again vote on a strike with its members at noon PT today. At the beginning of June, the guild voted 98% in favor of approving a strike if no deal could be reached. As little progress has happened between the two groups, a strike seems inevitable. This would mark the first time since 1960 that both actors and writers are on strike and would essentially halt the entire industry until all parties can find a mutual agreement.
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Source(s): Discussing Film, Variety, Rolling Stone
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