As of November 8, SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with film and TV studios, ending the 118 day actors' strike, Variety reports. The strike will officially end November 9 at 12:01 AM PT.
SAG-AFTRA began striking July 14, making it the longest actors' strike in history. On Wednesday, the union announced that its negotiation committee unanimously approved the studios' deal.
The union and the Writers Guild of America (which ended its respective strike September 27), shared primary grievances: AMPTP (which represents major film studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros. Discovery) has failed to provide satisfactory compensation in the relatively new streaming markets, with a focus on residuals after a project has been filmed and premiered.
Both also sought protections from A.I.-generated content—for actors in particular, the union sought protection against the A.I. usage of actors' likenesses and voices.
The deal reached between SAG-AFTRA and studios includes the first-ever protections for actors against A.I., plus a historic pay increase. Most actors' minimum pay will increase by 7 percent. Full details of the agreement are expected to be released Friday, provided that the agreement is approved by the SAG-AFTRA national board.
But it seems like union leaders are satisfied. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher posted on Instagram shortly after the announcement, saying, "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!"
A majority of TV and film production had already been shut down when SAG-AFTRA went on strike, following the WGA strike. In the midst of both strikes which largely shut down Hollywood and prevented studios from using actors to promote their projects, a small number of independent films were granted waivers to continue.
Union members will still have to vote to ratify an agreement, but actors will be able to return to work on Thursday.
