The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) jointly announced a breakthrough on Wednesday, signalling the end of the historic 118-day strike and the imminent revival of Hollywood.
SAG-AFTRA, representing around 160,000 media professionals globally, and AMPTP, a Los Angeles-based trade association for over 350 American television and film production companies, reached a tentative agreement after months of intricate negotiations. The strike, which commenced on July 14, 2023, kept the industry in suspense throughout the summer, with twists and turns in negotiations.
Initially predicted to last only a few months, the strike turned into a prolonged battle as finding common ground proved challenging. Accusations of “bully tactics” from the union and claims of an “insurmountable” divide by the studios fueled tensions. The deadlock persisted until Oct. 24 when the studios extended an invitation for renewed negotiations with a new offer.
Despite the optimism expressed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Disney CEO Bob Iger on Nov. 8, negotiations stretched until Nov. 4 when the studios presented their “last, best and final offer.” Deliberations continued for four more days, keeping the industry on edge.
The breakthrough was finally achieved on Nov. 8, as both parties announced a tentative deal, bringing joy to the entertainment community. This marks a turning point for SAG-AFTRA members, who endured months of uncertainty and financial strain.
The strike officially concluded at 12:01 a.m. local time on Thursday, ending over seven months of labor unrest. Notably, this strike witnessed the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA picketing together, the first joint strike in over 60 years.
Weeks of negotiations resulted in the studios responding to the guild’s counteroffer with a “historic” package, featuring significant wage and bonus increases and comprehensive AI protections.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos, expressed the studios’ commitment during negotiations, stating, “We didn’t just come toward you, we came all the way to you.” With time running out, the urgency to salvage the broadcast season and the 2024 summer movie slate became evident.
With the board set to sign off on the tentative deal, eligible guild members are expected to vote soon for ratification. The swift resolution anticipates a speedy return to work, potentially restarting production as early as this month, bringing relief to the industry in time for Christmas.
