Are you okay, Hollywood? Contemporary on the heels of the ongoing WGA strike, 98 % of the performers’ union SAG-AFTRA has voted to authorize a piece stoppage, if crucial, within the upcoming labor negotiations with the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers as soon as TV/theatrical contracts expire on June 30.
Turnout for the union, which is the most important in Hollywood, amounted to almost 48 %, virtually doubling 2020’s turnout of 27 %. The extraordinarily excessive “sure” vote mirrors that of the WGA throughout their negotiations with AMPTP, which did lead to a strike on Might 2.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher stated in an announcement, “The strike authorization votes have been tabulated and the membership joined their elected management and negotiating committee in favor of power and solidarity. I’m happy with all of you who voted in addition to those that had been vocally supportive, even when unable to vote. Everybody performed an element on this achievement. Collectively we lock elbows and in unity we construct a brand new contract that honors our contributions on this outstanding trade, displays the brand new digital and streaming enterprise mannequin and brings ALL our issues for protections and advantages into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we’re in it to win it.”
In their very own assertion, AMPTP added, “We’re approaching these negotiations with the objective of attaining a brand new settlement that’s helpful to SAG-AFTRA members and the trade total.”
SAG members haven’t gone on strike since 2000. Drescher acknowledges, “For the primary time in a really very long time, our member management stands in solidarity on the negotiating committee and the Nationwide Board ranges.”
Scorching matters to be addressed through the June negotiations are protections in opposition to generative A.I., an enchancment on member residuals and minimal charges, a strengthened well being and pension plan, and a brand new strategy to self-taped auditions within the post-COVID-19 age.
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