2023-06-30 17:41:18
Both SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios want to extend negotiations to avoid a strike.
Members of the Screen Actors Guild previously voted to authorize a strike if no fair deal was reached by June 30, but as the deadline approaches, it looks as though both sides want to extend talks until a later date, potentially July 7 according to Deadline.
The guild is looking to negotiate a deal that will restrict the use of AI as well as secure higher streaming residuals for its members among other issues. Currently, if a deal is not made by June 30 (or an extension is not granted) then SAG-AFTRA will move to strike. The guild’s previous vote to authorize strike action was overwhelming in favor at 97.91%.
“I might not be more pleased with this response from the membership,” said SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “This overwhelming yes vote is a clear statement that it’s time for an evolution in this contract.”
As well as the previous vote, a recent letter signed by top Hollywood celebrities cemented the guild’s position, with the likes of Charlize Theron, Pedro Pascal, and more “prepared to strike”.
According to Deadlineover 1,000 actors signed the letter, which was sent to SAG-AFTRA directors in support of potential strike action.
Among the original 300 signatories are Charlize Theron, Joaquin Phoenix, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cobie Smulders, and Pedro Pascal. Other signatures recently added include Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, Rose Byrne, Olivia Wilde, Ewan McGregor, Aubrey Plaza, Rooney Mara, and Sarah Paulson. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher also signed the letter.
“Solidarity demands honesty, and we need to make clear our resolve,” it read. “A strike brings incredible hardships to so many, and no one wants it. But we are prepared to strike if it comes to that. And we are concerned by the idea that SAG-AFTRA members may be ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not. We hope you’ve heard the message from us. This is an unprecedented inflection point in our industry, and what might be considered a good deal in any other years is simply not enough.”
Other notable signatories include Glenn Close, Jennifer Lawrence, Mark Ruffalo, Meryl Streep, and Ben Stiller.
“This is not a moment to meet in the middle, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the eyes of history are on all of us,” it added. “We ask that you push for all the change we need and protections we deserve and make history doing it. If you are not able to get all the way there, we ask that you use the power given to you by us, the membership, and join the WGA on the picket lines.”
This latest development comes weeks into the ongoing WGA writers’ strike. The impact of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA striking simultaneously would be felt across the industry, and studios are already being cautious when it comes to their upcoming plans, many of which will not be presenting at San Diego Comic Con’s Hall H this year.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
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