Hollywood Actors End 118-Day Strike with Tentative Labor Agreement
After a lengthy and grueling 118-day strike, Hollywood actors can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they return to work. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and major studios, including Disney, Netflix, and Universal, have reached a tentative labor agreement, ending the strike that began in July.
The recent agreement comes after two weeks of intense negotiations, which followed two earlier rounds of unsuccessful talks. While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, reports suggest that both parties have made significant progress on financial matters. The final issue that needed to be resolved revolved around artificial intelligence (AI).
Throughout the strike, actors have been fighting for a more equitable employment deal, including salary increases, changes to residual payment models due to streaming, and safeguards concerning the use of AI. The strike coincided with a separate strike by the Writers Guild of America, leading to the first dual strike in Hollywood in six decades. However, the writers’ union managed to reach an agreement with the studios in late October and have already returned to work.
The strikes had a profound impact on the entertainment industry, resulting in the suspension of nearly all productions in the United States. As a result, many TV series and films will be delayed, with premieres pushed back and release schedules shuffled. Notably, highly anticipated productions such as the next seasons of Stranger Things and Loot will premiere much later than originally planned. Even prestigious events like the Emmy Awards were rescheduled from September to January.
The ripple effects of the strike will be felt well into 2024, disrupting the production landscape and forcing adjustments in the industry. However, with the actors’ strike now coming to an end, there is hope for a swift recovery. Suspended projects like Deadpool 3, Gladiator 2, and Apples Never Fall are expected to resume filming soon.
It should be noted that during the strike, productions under AMPTP studios continued in Australia as long as they complied with agreements made with the local union, MEAA. This allowed Netflix, Paramount, and other AMPTP companies to continue shooting Down Under.
Overall, the tentative labor agreement brings a sense of relief and optimism to Hollywood. As the union’s board and membership ratify the agreement in the coming weeks, the industry can begin to rebuild and move past the challenges caused by the strike. With productions set to reignite and actors returning to their craft, the entertainment world can once again thrive.
