Cast and crew alike will return to film and TV sets after the longest walkout in SAG-AFTRA’s history ended following a unanimous vote.
The actors’ union, which represents around 160,000 performers, reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Wednesday 8 November. This ends the 118-day strike which brought the industry to a standstill (along with the earlier writers’ strike).
The deal, valued at over one billion dollars, includes “above-pattern” minimum compensation increases, according to the SAG-AFTRA TV/TH Negotiating Committee. Another positive outlined by the Committee’s statement was the “unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI”, which had proven a sticking point in discussions. The deal will also encompass a “streaming participation bonus”, see pension and health caps substantially raised, better compensation for background performers, and important contract provisions protecting diverse communities.
“Thank you all for your dedication, your commitment and your solidarity throughout this strike,” the union told its members. “It is because of YOU that these improvements became possible.”
Commenting on the deal, AMPTP said: “Today’s tentative agreement represents a new paradigm. […] AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry resuming the work of telling great stories.”
The tentative deal will be put to the SAG-AFTRA national board on Friday 10 November, after which more details will be released.
