SAG-AFTRA & Studios To Meet Monday to Resume Strike Negotiations
SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have scheduled a meeting for next week. In a joint statement released on Wednesday evening, representatives from both the actors guild and the studio confirmed that negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract will resume on Monday, October 2.
The 160,000-strong actors union confirmed this development following earlier uncertainty about confirmed meeting dates with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, as reported exclusively by Deadline.
As of 12:01 a.m. today, the writers’ strike concluded after 148 days, just shy of the WGA’s longest-ever strike in 1988 at 153 days.
With the WGA strike resolved, picket lines at Disney and Warner Bros today were thinner compared to earlier this summer. However, actors are cautiously optimistic about a potential resolution for the ongoing SAG-AFTRA walkout, given the AMPTP’s recent deal with the WGA that ended their strike.
It’s worth noting that SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree Ireland, is currently away on business.
Having been on strike for 76 days due to a failure to reach a new contract agreement, the actors union is eager for progress.
In an earlier exclusive on Tuesday, it was reported that as the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a tentative agreement, the 160,000-strong actors union may soon sit down with the AMPTP. SAG-AFTRA leaders are looking to capitalize on the positive momentum in Hollywood, aiming to arrange meetings with the Carol Lombardini-led group by the end of next week.
However, it’s important to note that formal negotiations have yet to commence, as confirmed by a spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA: “We have no confirmed dates scheduled and there will not be meetings with the AMPTP this week. When we do have dates confirmed, we will inform our members. No one should rely on speculation.”
As of now, the AMPTP has not responded to inquiries from Deadline regarding these potential meetings.
Since July 14, when SAG-AFTRA members joined the WGA on picket lines, this marks the first joint strike in Hollywood since the Kennedy administration. While the writers await details about their deal, which may be disclosed today or tomorrow, the actors union remains steadfast on the picket lines.
Both unions have demonstrated unwavering solidarity with each other throughout this current labor dispute, despite having some unique concerns in their respective contract talks. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland have been vocal advocates for their union’s stance, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and compensation.
In a unanimous vote on Monday, SAG-AFTRA members authorized a potential strike against the video game industry, citing concerns about the exploitative use of AI and inadequate wages. Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez stressed the importance of reaching an agreement that provides fair compensation, safety measures, and dignity for these talented performers, as their livelihoods depend on it.
