Speculation has been swirling for several weeks, and now the anticipation has come to fruition: Actors are officially teaming up with writers in a nationwide strike set to commence on Thursday, July 13, from midnight. The declaration was made during a press conference held at the SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles, immediately after the guild’s National Board cast their votes.
Talks of a potential SAG-AFTRA strike started to circulate in early June when guild members were balloted on whether to resort to strike actions should contract renegotiation attempts fail. The guild negotiates deals with studios and platforms concerning actors’ compensation and overall work environment every three years. The voting outcome was remarkable and record-breaking, with over 97% of the approximately 65,000 guild members endorsing the strike authorization. This outcome signaled the likelihood of a strike should the contract negotiations remain unresolved — which unfortunately happened on June 30.
In a public declaration, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, expressed his stern condemnation of the studios’ actions while confirming the strike:
“The studios and streaming platforms have unilaterally implemented radical changes in our industry’s business framework, whilst insisting on maintaining our existing contracts intact. Such action is no way to regard a valued and significant partner. Their unwillingness to consider our key proposals seriously and the blatant disrespect shown to our members have led us to this juncture. The studios and streamers will soon fully comprehend the extent of our members’ determination, which they have apparently underestimated.”
Image via SAG-AFTRA
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Studios’ Reluctance to Engage Has Brought About This Outcome
Crabtree-Ireland’s accusation that the “studios and streamers have underestimated” actors and writers is no idle claim. The AMPTP — the organization representing all major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms — is reportedly planning to commence genuine negotiations only in late October. They assume that by then, the striking writers and actors will be weary. An unsettling report by Deadline suggests that AMPTP’s strategy is to prolong the strike until the writers and actors are financially distressed and hence more likely to urge their union to accept any deal in order to return to work and cover their bills. This ruthless tactic is often deployed by large corporations during strikes: push workers to desperation so they’ll accept any deal to resume work and meet their financial obligations.
The Writers’ Strike has been ongoing since early May. The recent vote by SAG to support the writers in protest marks the first time in over six decades that the guilds have jointly protested. Back in 1960, Hollywood writers downed their pens from January to June, and actors, led by then-SAG president Ronald Reagan, also joined in a six-week strike. In 2023, actors have demonstrated significant support for the striking writers from the onset, and their voices will be instrumental in urging AMPTP to agree to fair terms.
Stay tuned to FilmSweep for all the latest updates regarding the WGA-SAG strike as they unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nationwide SAG-AFTRA Strike
When is the nationwide strike set to commence?
The strike is set to begin on Thursday, July 13, effective from midnight.
Who initiated the official announcement of the strike?
The official announcement was made during a press conference at the SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles, after the guild’s National Board voted.
What led to the decision to go on strike?
The possibility of a strike emerged in early June when contract renegotiation efforts failed. An overwhelming majority of SAG-AFTRA guild members (over 97%) voted in favor of strike authorization.
What was the reaction of studios and streaming platforms to the strike?
According to Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, studios and streamers have made significant unilateral changes in the industry’s business model and failed to engage meaningfully with key proposals put forward by the guild.
How does this strike compare to past ones?
This strike marks the first time in over six decades that the writers’ and actors’ guilds have jointly protested. The last such demonstration of solidarity was in 1960 when writers put down their pens and actors went on strike for six weeks.
More about Nationwide SAG-AFTRA Strike
- SAG-AFTRA Official Announcement
- Historical Strikes in Hollywood
- Deadline’s Report on AMPTP’s Strategy
- Overview of Hollywood Strikes
- 2023 Writers’ Strike
7 comments
97% approval for the strike huh? Thats a lot… Almost everyone’s on board. it really is serious business.
reminds me of the 1960’s strike…wonder if it will have the same impact.
If the strike continues, what happens to the upcoming releases? Will they be delayed?
Hoping for a resolution soon. Don’t want my fave shows getting delayed ‘coz of the strike!
This is massive news, seriously! First time in 60+ years that the guilds are teaming up…definitely historic.
Well done to SAG-AFTRA & WGA! Its high time these corporate giants learned the true value of creatives.
studios shouldve known better… underestimating actors n writers was a dumb move.