The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike is an ongoing strike between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The dispute is concurrent with the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike with both being part of the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, and marks the first time since 1960 in which both labor unions were on strike simultaneously, and the first time actors went on strike since the 1980 actors strike.[1]
Negotiations
editNegotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP began on June 7, 2023, as the June 30 deadline for the union contract drew closer. Previously, a strike authorization vote was held, resulting in over 98% of SAG-AFTRA's membership voting in favor of striking in case an agreement wasn't reached.[2][3] On June 27, an open letter signed by over 300 members of SAG-AFTRA, including some A-list celebrities like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Neil Patrick Harris, Ben Stiller, Rami Malek, and others, expressing concern that SAG-AFTRA's Negotiating Committee may be willing to settle for a deal that union members are not willing to accept.[4][5]
On July 1, a mutual agreement was reached to extend the deadline to July 12 in order to give more time to the negotiations.[6][7]
SAG-AFTRA's main demands included an increase in residual pay, which has declined due to the rise of media streaming, an end to self-taped auditions, as well as protections for actors against advances in artificial intelligence technology, which they fear will enable studios to use actors' likeness without consent or pay.[2][3][8] SAG-AFTRA accused AMPTP of "[not having] any intention of bargaining toward an agreement",[9] with AMPTP alleging that SAG-AFTRA "has decided to walk away from negotiations".[2]
Nearing the final days of the extended deadline, and with no agreement on the horizon, AMPTP requested federal mediation.[1][7]
Strike
edit
SAG-AFTRA @sagaftra
If a strike becomes necessary, we're ready.
July 8, 2023[10]
As the extended deadline expired at 23:59 PT on July 12, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to recommend a strike to the union's National Board.[2][11] SAG-AFTRA attributed the failure of the negotiations to AMPTP's "intransigence and delay tactics".[12] The National Board scheduled a meeting for later that morning to formally approve the launch of a strike.[13] The strike was announced via a livestream press conference later that day.[14]
Under SAG-AFTRA's rules, striking members may not film any new material and may not participate in promotional events such as press junkets or film premiers. In response, some media companies have held those events in advance of the deadline.[15]
SAG-AFTRA started preparing for the strike days in advance, stating "If a strike becomes necessary, we're ready." Picket signs were printed, and surveys were sent to coordinate walkout action.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Isidore, Chris (July 12, 2023). "Actors are poised to go on strike against studios and streaming services". CNN. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Grant, Teddy; Carr, Will; Shalawylo, Abigail; Haworth, Jon (July 13, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee votes unanimously to recommend strike as Hollywood talks stall". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Bahr, Lindsey (June 6, 2023). "Hollywood actors guild votes to authorize strike, as writers strike continues". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023.
- ^ Yandoli, Krystie Lee (June 27, 2023). "Jennifer Lawrence, A-List Actors Threaten to Strike in Letter to SAG". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023.
- ^ Kilkenny, Katie (June 27, 2023). "Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Other Top Actors Sign Letter to SAG-AFTRA: We're 'Prepared to Strike'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023.
- ^ Beckett, Lois (July 1, 2023). "US actors union agrees to extend talks as A-list stars show they are ready to strike". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Barnes, Brooks; Koblin, John; Sperling, Nicole (July 13, 2023). "Hollywood Shutdown Looms as Actors Say Contract Talks Have Collapsed". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Robb, David (July 7, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Preparing Picket Signs As Possible Strike Looms". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023.
- ^ "SAG-AFTRA Statement Regarding Request to Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service". SAGAFTRA.org. July 11, 2023. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023.
- ^ SAG-AFTRA [@sagaftra] (July 8, 2023). "If a strike becomes necessary, we're ready" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Richwine, Lisa (July 13, 2023). "Hollywood actors poised to strike, joining writers on picket lines". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023.
- ^ "SAG-AFTRA Television, Theatrical and Streaming Contracts Expire Without a Deal". SAGAFTRA.org. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023.
- ^ Robb, David; Patten, Dominic (July 13, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Contract Talks Fail To Reach Deal; National Board Meeting Thursday Morning To Launch Strike; Sides Issue Statements". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (July 13, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Press Conference To Discuss Actors Strike – Watch The Livestream". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Fuster, Jeremy (July 10, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Lays Out Strike Rules: No Shoots, No Press, No Social Media Promos". The Wrap. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023.
Category:2023 labor disputes and strikes
Category:2023 in American cinema
Category:2023 in American television
Category:July 2023 events in the United States
Category:Entertainment industry labor disputes in the United States
2023 Strike
2023 Strike
Category:Film controversies in the United States
Category:Television controversies in the United States