The national board of the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television (SAG-AFTRA) has given its approval to the tentative agreement reached between the actors union and major studios and streamers.
The board’s decision, with an 86 percent approval rate, was announced by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director of SAG-AFTRA, during a press conference on Friday.
The tentative agreement, pending the ratification vote by the union’s members, marks a crucial step in resolving the recent work stoppage that impacted the entertainment industry. The 160,000-strong union will now proceed to vote on the ratification of the deal in the coming weeks.
SAG-AFTRA released this message to its members yesterday:
“Dear SAG-AFTRA Member,
We did it! Our historic TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike is over as of 12:01 a.m. PT this morning. After 118 days on strike, we are set to change the future of our industry with a transformative contract that includes gains for every category of SAG-AFTRA member who works this contract.
This revolutionary agreement achieves major breakthroughs in addressing compensation via residuals and protections from generative artificial intelligence technology, while reaffirming the role human performers play in the production of film, television and streaming entertainment.
Tomorrow, the National Board will meet to review the tentative agreement and vote on whether or not to send it to you, the membership, for a ratification vote.
Although full details will not be shared in advance of tomorrow’s meeting, we wanted to share just a few key deal points:
- More than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding;
- A streaming participation bonus;
- Minimum compensation increases that break the so-called “industry pattern;”
- For the first time, consent and compensation guardrails on the use of AI;
- Raised Pension & Health caps that will channel more value into our funds; and
- Critical protections for diverse communities.
We’re proud of the phenomenal efforts of our TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, and send our sincerest thanks to you — the members — who made these gains possible by granting a strike authorization prior to negotiations, and remaining resolved throughout the 118 days of our strike. Your solidarity helped us achieve the necessary leverage to secure these unprecedented gains.
We’re also grateful to our union siblings who stood by our side – literally and figuratively – from the very beginning. We truly could not have succeeded without your unwavering support.
Effective immediately, all SAG-AFTRA members should fulfill their contractual obligations and return to work. Members and influencers may resume services relating to publicity and the promotion of motion pictures produced under the CBA and Television Agreement, without consequence or conflict with the union.
Please keep an eye out for an email from SAG-AFTRA and follow us on social media (@sagaftra) for news on the National Board’s recommendation.
In unity,
Fran Drescher
President
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator
REELated:
The approval of the tentative agreement signals a potential return to normalcy for the industry, allowing actors to resume their work on various film and television projects that were affected by the strike. Further details about the agreement and its terms are expected to be disclosed following the members’ ratification vote.
For Reel 360 News’ full strike coverage, click here.
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