HOLLYWOOD—It was announced on Wednesday, November 8, after almost 4 months, SAG-AFRTRA reached a deal with studios after being on strike since July 12. The current work stoppage would end on Thursday, November 9 at 12:01 a.m. The new contract will be in effect for 3 years and was approved unanimously by the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical committee.
“In a unanimous vote this afternoon, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement with the AMPTP bringing an end to the 118 day strike,” said SAG-AFTRA in a statement on Wednesday.
An answer was expected by 5 p.m. from the union per the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Details on the agreement have not yet been disclosed to the public. Negotiations between both sides resumed after the Writer’s Guild of America reached an agreement on September 27 after a strike that lasted more than 5 months.
Negotiations kicked into gear on October 2 and have been back and forth between the parties for the past few weeks. Studios presented their “last, best and final offer” on Saturday, November 4. Big concerns for SAG-AFTRA include the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence), streaming compensation, healthcare and pension contributions, and an increase in pay for actors.
A number of high-profile flicks were forced to halt production as the strike commenced, including flicks like “Beetlejuice 2” and “Deadpool 3.” SAG-AFTRA Union President Fran Drescher wrote on Instagram the following statement:
“We did it!!!! The Billion+ $ Deal! 3X the last contract! New ground was broke everywhere!Ty sag aftra members for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal! Ty neg comm, strike captains, staff, Duncan & Ray, our lawyers, the IA team , family and friends. Our sister unions for their unrelenting support! And the amptp for hearing us and meeting this moment! #sagaftrastrong.”
