Hollywood Actors Union Board Ratifies Studio Agreement, Concluding Strike

On Friday, the board of Hollywood’s actors union sanctioned a studio agreement, concluding a nearly four-month strike. This decision was disclosed by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the executive director and chief negotiator for the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), during a press conference, with an overwhelming 86% of board members voting in favor.

The agreement, spanning three years, now proceeds to a union-wide vote. This will offer members a chance to evaluate the outcomes of their summer and early fall demonstrations on picket lines, rather than working on film and TV sets. SAG-AFTRA anticipates disclosing the agreement details later on the same day.

Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that this agreement secures the sustainability of the motion picture industry for working-class performers and safeguards thousands of jobs.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher criticized the studios for underestimating the actors’ resolve, highlighting the silence from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) from July 14 to October 3. Drescher pointed out the shift in dynamics with the union’s new leadership, marking a stark contrast to the defiant atmosphere of a July news conference where the historic strike was declared.

SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles headquarters, where the positive announcement was made on November 10, 2023, contrasted sharply with the previous months of labor unrest. The board’s vote, including actors like Billy Porter, Jennifer Beals, Sean Astin, and Sharon Stone, was anticipated due to their involvement in the negotiation process. The leadership had already declared the strike’s end upon reaching a tentative deal with the AMPTP, preempting board approval.

This step is critical for Hollywood’s return to normalcy, pending a final vote by union members, for which a date has yet to be set. Crabtree-Ireland mentioned planned informational meetings to brief members on the contract’s contents.

A key aspect of the negotiations involved stipulations around artificial intelligence control. Drescher highlighted the importance of securing favorable terms in this area to safeguard union members’ interests.

Following the tentative deal’s announcement, actors generally expressed optimism about the gains made by their leaders. However, the detailed response remains crucial, considering the turbulent conclusion of the 1980 screen actors strike, which faced significant opposition and took a month to resolve.

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More about Hollywood actors strike deal

• Hollywood Actors Union Approves Studio Deal
• SAG-AFTRA Board Ratifies Strike-Ending Agreement
• Negotiations on AI Control in Film Industry Deal
• History of Screen Actors Strikes and Agreements
• Fran Drescher’s Role in SAG-AFTRA Negotiations
• Implications of the New Contract for Hollywood Actors