SAG AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree announced that 86% of the SAG AFTRA National Board voted for an agreement with the AMPTP – calling it a “victory for all workers.” Ted Chen reports for the NBC4 News on Nov. 10, 2023.
A tentative deal worth an estimated $1 billion has been reached between studios and the union representing actors who went on a historic 118-day strike. So, what comes next for Hollywood?
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) National Board approved on Friday a deal presented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), moving the process to the next step – a vote by union members for ratification. If approved, the deal would be good through 2026.
What's in the deal?
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Among the things the deal covers are wages, benefits and protections in the use of artificial intelligence – all topics that both sides went back and forth on during the historic work stoppage. According to the union, here’s what the agreement includes upon ratification:
- Increased wages – A 7% increase for the first year of the contract, followed by another 4% increase in July 2024. Additionally, a 3.5% increase in wages would take effect July 2025.
- Increased wages for background actors – Effective Nov. 12, an 11% increase in wages would be available for background actors, followed by an additional 4% increase July 2024 and then another 3.5% increase effective July 2023.
- Streaming – New residuals have been announced to make streaming compensation “more sustainable for middle-class actors.” The compensation will be paid to actors on streaming programs that meet particular viewership requirements, with the remaining funds distributed to other actors working on those platforms.
- More sensitivity to diversity – The deal includes the elimination of “inappropriate wiggings and paintdowns, gender-neutral language, access to gender-affirming care, and translation services.”
- Relocation allowances – For series performers, relocation assistance in the form of $5,000 monthly for up to 6 months has been implemented.
- Artificial intelligence protection – Increased protections against AI include consent and compensation for the creation and use of digital replicas of SAG-AFTRA members.
Voting
SAG-AFTRA members will get to review the terms of the deal and put it to a vote, the union said in a statement on Friday. Those who are eligible to vote can expect a postcard in the mail containing instructions on how to vote.
To provide more insight and instruction to members, SAG-AFTRA will hold multiple in-person and online informational meetings to review the agreement. An informational webinar will be held Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST. Registration is required and can be completed here.
Voting will be able to be completed online or via traditional mail for those who request a physical ballot.
