Hollywood’s most notable labor dispute is showing signs of progress as SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have resumed negotiations after an 80-day strike. Talks are scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
As with the WGA negotiations, studio heads, including Ted Sarandos (Netflix co-CEO), David Zaslav (Warner Bros. Discovery CEO), Bob Iger (Disney CEO), and Donna Langley (NBCUniversal Studio Group chairman and chief content officer), returned to the bargaining table alongside AMPTP’s Carol Lombardini. What’s notable about this round of talks is that they occurred on the union’s home turf at the SAG-AFTRA national headquarters on Wilshire Blvd., marking a departure from previous meetings at the AMPTP offices.
In another noteworthy departure from previous negotiations, there were no federal mediators present during these talks, suggesting that both sides are keen to engage directly and potentially expedite the process. The presence of these influential industry leaders has raised hopes that the negotiations could move more swiftly toward resolution.
In a joint statement released on Monday, SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP signaled a willingness to work together, which is generally seen as a positive sign of cooperation within the negotiation room. However, the road ahead remains challenging, with numerous unresolved issues on the table.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP met for a full-day bargaining session and have concluded. Negotiations will resume Wednesday, Oct. 4.”
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Among the top priorities for SAG-AFTRA are wage increases, a revenue-sharing proposal for streaming titles, and the establishment of regulations for the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the union has pushed for a range of smaller items, including increases to health plan and pension contribution “caps,” discussions about the size of relocation expenses, and whether performance-capture work should fall under the union’s TV/theatrical contract.
Despite the resumption of negotiations and the optimism surrounding recent talks, the union’s negotiating committee sent a message to its members on Monday, urging them to remain committed to the strike. The committee emphasized the importance of continued picket lines and participation in solidarity events. Their message was clear: they are prepared to stay on strike “as long as it takes.”
As Hollywood’s top players gather around the negotiation table once again, the industry watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow the entertainment business to return to normalcy after months of labor unrest.
For Reel 360 News’ full strike coverage, click here.
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