SAG-AFTRA Congratulates the WGA. It Now Wants Its Own Deal

By
Adam Jacobson
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Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher

After 146 days, the strike called by the Writers Guild of America is nearing its conclusion, as a tentative agreement was reached with the AMPTP ahead of the Jewish day of atonement, Yom Kippur, late Sunday.


The actors union that remains on strike congratulated the WGA on the near-official deal, while it remains unresolved with its own labor dispute.

In a brief statement, SAG-AFTRA congratulated the WGA on reaching the tentative agreement with the AMPTP, “after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency, and solidarity on the picket lines.”

While SAG-AFTRA looks forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, it remains committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members, the actors union said.

“Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines,” SAG-AFTRA notes. “We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”

For both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA East and West, it is the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ (AMPTP) that has prevented new labor agreements from being signed without deep negotiation, resulting in the walkouts.

Artificial Intelligence and intellectual property rights are a big issue for SAG-AFTRA members. Also impacting the TV, streaming and theatrical (on a limited basis) arenas is what SAG-AFTRA believes is “one simple truth”: “We’re up against a system where those in charge of multibillion-dollar media conglomerates are rewarded for exploiting workers.”

How so? “The companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which include Amazon/MGM, Apple, Disney/ABC/Fox, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount/CBS, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery (HBO), and others — are committed to prioritizing shareholders and Wall Street.”

Key sticking points include minimum wage. As SAG-AFTRA sees it, it needs an 11% general wage increase in year 1 “so our members can recover from record inflation during the previous contract term.” AMPTP is sticking to a 5% wage increase; this, SAG-AFTRA, is a pay cut due to inflation. “It is likely you will still be working for less than your 2020 wages in 2026.”
Then, there’s the matter of “consultations with qualified hair and makeup professionals for all performers on set to ensure equity for performers of color, and a requirement to have the proper tools and equipment.” AMPTP says background performers are ineligible for this costly benefit. There’s also haggling over health and retirement plans, reimbursement of relocation expenses, and work hiatus rules.
But, perhaps the biggest issue keeping the two groups from reaching a deal is about streaming residuals. SAG-AFTRA seeks a “comprehensive plan for actors to participate in streaming revenue, since the current business model has eroded our residuals income.” AMPTP has resisted.
“We need transformative contracts, yet remain far apart on the most critical issues that affect the very survival of our profession,” SAG-AFTRA said. “Specifically, we need fair compensation that accounts for inflation, revenue sharing on top of residuals, protection from AI technology, and updates to our pension and health contribution caps, which haven’t been changed in decades.”
As such, the WGA and AMPTP resolution is a hopeful development for SAG-AFTRA. But, an end to its walkout could be weeks, not days, away.

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