Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild’s (SAG) members collectively voted to authorize a strike in the event that their negotiation committee fails to secure a new contract with Hollywood’s major studios by June 30. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher provided an update to union members, stressing the productivity of the negotiations and their focus on addressing the members’ most pressing concerns.
However, this update was met with significant resistance from several actors who believe that any deal falling short of their needs should not be accepted. Over 300 actors, including Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Amy Schumer, signed an open letter addressed to SAG-AFTRA Leadership and the Negotiating Committee, expressing their concerns and urging the union not to compromise on key issues.
Unprecedented Inflection Point
The letter, obtained by Rolling Stone, argues that the current moment in the entertainment industry is unprecedented and demands a transformative agreement. The signatories feel that they have been undervalued in terms of wages, creative freedom, and union power over the past decade. They call for a reversal of these trends and emphasize their readiness to go on strike, despite acknowledging the hardships it may entail.
The letter raises essential concerns such as minimum pay, fair compensation for streaming growth, healthcare, pensions, and regulations surrounding self-tapes in casting. Additionally, it highlights a significant worry regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The actors assert that their likenesses should be protected and that they should be adequately compensated when their work is used to train AI systems.
Protecting the Future of the Craft
The signatories firmly believe that anything less than a transformative agreement would jeopardize the future of their craft and significantly weaken SAG-AFTRA’s bargaining power in future negotiations. They draw parallels with the recent strike by the Writers Guild of America, which occurred following failed negotiations with Hollywood studios. The actors urge SAG leadership to seize this critical moment and advocate for the necessary changes.
In their letter, the actors implore the union leadership to use the power entrusted to them by the membership and, if necessary, join the Writers Guild of America on the picket lines. The ongoing WGA strike has resulted in a halt in TV and film production since its inception.
A Call to Action
As contract negotiations continue, the voices of these actors grow louder. They refuse to settle for anything less than a comprehensive agreement that addresses their concerns regarding wages, creative freedom, and the impact of AI. The open letter serves as a rallying cry for actors to unite and demand the changes they believe are necessary for the industry’s future.
While the negotiations have been described as productive, the resistance from these prominent actors underscores the urgency of the situation. The potential strike looms large, potentially disrupting the entertainment industry and causing significant economic consequences. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the negotiation committee and SAG leadership to see if they will heed the actors’ call to action and secure a transformative agreement.