After nearly four months of Hollywood production grinding to a halt while actors walked picket lines, SAG-AFTRA has finally released the full terms of the tentative deal aimed at ending the strike. With the December 5th ratification deadline fast approaching, union leaders are anxiously awaiting if the 160,000 members will vote to approve the hard-fought agreement.
Lengthy Negotiations Yield “Historic” Deal
The SAG-AFTRA or the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ strike which severely affected TV and film productions across Hollywood, began on July 14th alongside the Writers Guild of America’s own work stoppage. For endless days and nights, Union President Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland sat across the bargaining table from the formidable Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Finally, on November 8th after 118 days of picketing, an agreement was reached. SAG-AFTRA proclaimed it a “groundbreaking” deal valued at over $1 billion in new wages and funding – including $317 million for the health and pension plans. The National Board overwhelmingly voted 86% in favor to send the package to membership. But dissenting voices emerged questioning aspects like AI protections as ratification voting commenced on November 14th.
SAG-AFTRA Complete Terms Dropped Amid Heightening Debate
With the final ballots due on December 5th, SAG-AFTRA has now publicized the full 129-page draft contract just before the wire. According to Crabtree-Ireland, distribution of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) ahead of formal ratification is “unusual.” But it was done to assist members in making an informed decision during voting. Links to past contracts were also provided for additional context.
The tentative 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts MOA, covering the 3-year period from November 9th, 2023 to June 30th, 2026, lays out improvements across compensation, working conditions, transparency and more. But will it satisfy performers who have already sacrificed income and opportunities for nearly four months?
Pay Bumps Across The Board Ease Financial Sting
For many SAG-AFTRA performers feeling the financial pain caused by months of foregoing work, the pay increases contained will surely be welcome relief. Minimum salary rates will rise 7% upfront, followed by 4% in mid-2024 and another 3.5% in mid-2025. For daily minimums, an initial 11% jump tapers to 4% and then 3.5% in subsequent years.
The MOA also introduces a first-of-its-kind “streaming success bonus” – extra compensation for talent involved with popular high-budget streaming releases, a sector which has exploded since the last contract talks.
In a potentially game-changing move, notoriously opaque streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ will even provide confidential viewership metrics to the union on a quarterly basis. The availability of such data has been a long-sought goal.
AI and Intimacy Protections Among Highlights
The rise of AI has posed complex questions around consent, likeness usage and job losses which past regulations failed to adequately address. Hence landmark AI provisions debuted here, mandating consent for digital replicas, “synesthetic performers” and generative AI. But the absence of stronger, forward-looking guidelines still bothers AI thought leaders like Justine Bateman.
In a positive sign of the changing cultural times post-#MeToo, formal guidelines around on-set intimacy coordination during vulnerable scenes represent progress too. More extensive anti-harassment training and trauma-informed practices were also put forward.
Performers additionally scored wins around serious concerns like hair, make-up and wardrobe relating to diversity, equity and inclusion. And background actors further benefit from boosts in meal penalties and adjusting the zone system.
Crabtree-Ireland Urges “Yes” Vote to Lock In Gains
But the gains will only materialize through ratification. The chief negotiator implored SAG-AFTRA members to closely scrutinize the MOA before voting concludes on December 5th. For performers who gave up both income and exposure during a nearly four-month work stoppage, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Comments 1