Should negotiations fail, the actors of Hollywood are poised to join the industry’s writers on strike this month in a move meant to send a stern message to executives.
CBS News reports that the TV and film acting union SAG-AFTRA has voted in an overwhelming majority–almost 98 percent of union members–to authorize a strike if a deal isn’t reached with major studios by June 30. The move is a stark one that signals those who are on the front lines of film and TV creation are ready to bring Hollywood to a complete standstill if important needs aren’t met. The union is set to start negotiations Wednesday.
The demands SAG-AFTRA has are similar to the writers union WGA, which is currently on strike–that pay for workers is increased instead of going toward the executives and that prohibitions be put in place to stop the threat of AI replacing actors. Along with higher, livable wages, writers had also asked for executives to ensure that AI wouldn’t replace writing talent.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement, “As we enter what may be one of the most consequential negotiations in the union’s history, inflation, dwindling residuals due to streaming, and generative AI all threaten actors’ ability to earn a livelihood if our contracts are not adapted to reflect the new realities.”
“This strike authorization means we enter our negotiations from a position of strength, so that we can deliver the deal our members want and deserve,” Crabtree-Ireland continued.
History professor Steve Ross told CBS News that the writers’ strike probably helped convince actors to go on strike as well, adding that if the actors’ strike happens, “they could change the whole complexion of the negotiations.”
