SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios have reached a tentative agreement to end the nearly four-month-long strike.
SAG-AFTRA announced on Wednesday that the union, which represents actors in film and television, has reached a tentative agreement with studios in the entertainment industry for a new labor contract. This brings the two sides closer to resolving the ongoing strike, which has been a source of conflict for nearly four months.
The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee has unanimously voted to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP, officially putting an end to the 118 day strike. The union released a statement on Wednesday, stating that while the new contract still needs to be ratified by SAG-AFTRA members, the strike will officially end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.
The complete terms of the agreement were not immediately disclosed.
On Monday, the company stated on social media that it was striving to “responsibly end this strike,” but acknowledged that there were still disagreements among negotiators regarding important matters.
Artificial intelligence is utilized by studios..
The AMPTP is a group that represents producers in the film and television industry, such as Apple, Amazon, Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Brothers Discovery. (Certain employees of CBS News are members of SAG-AFTRA, but they operate under a separate agreement from the actors and are not impacted by the strike.)
The AMPTP declared in an official statement that the agreement reached on Wednesday marks a significant shift, providing SAG-AFTRA with the greatest contract-based improvements in the union’s history. These include a substantial increase in minimum wages, a new residual system for streaming shows, comprehensive safeguards and compensation measures for the use of artificial intelligence, and significant contract boosts in various areas.
The ongoing film and television industry strike, which is the longest in SAG’s history, has caused a pause in film and scripted TV production, resulting in major movie premieres and releases being pushed back.
causing financial hardship
For numerous employed performers.
Karen Bass, the Mayor of Los Angeles, expressed her gratitude for the recent resolution between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP. The strike, which lasted over 100 days, affected many people in Los Angeles and across the nation. The statement was made on Wednesday.
Bass stated that the current tentative agreement will have a significant effect on all sectors of our economy. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on domestic production in order to facilitate a successful recovery for our entertainment industry and overall economy.
Sticking points in the often bitter negotiations included actors seeking limitations on studios using
The use of artificial intelligence to replicate the appearance of actors.
I have improved compensation structures to account for the increase in streaming and enhanced performances.health and retirement benefits.
Actors have specifically advocated for increased residual payments for their contributions to streaming shows, citing a decrease in their income despite a significant rise in studio revenues from online video.
According to SAG-AFTRA representatives, the contract with AMPTPA will provide union members with the opportunity to establish lasting careers, benefitting countless performers both now and in the years to come.
Megan Cerullo
Source: cbsnews.com