The United States actors strike will mark its third month this week since it began. Unfortunately, there are no signs of it ending soon. SAG-AFTRA reports the dismal state of negotiations that will adversely affect hundreds of film and television projects, including ongoing video game adaptations.
While a few weeks ago, the writers guild successfully reached an agreement with U.S. film and television companies, the situation remains unresolved for actors. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) had been engaged in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) until October 9, but unfortunately, they have reached an impasse.
Companies Unwilling to Negotiate with SAG-AFTRA
"The chief negotiators walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to respond to our latest offer," the union stated in a press release. "We have negotiated in good faith, despite last weeks offer being shockingly less than what they proposed before the strike began."
SAG-AFTRA asserts that companies are not concerned about preventing artificial intelligence from replacing actors. Additionally, they refuse to raise salaries to compensate for inflation and share profits generated from actors work.
According to SAG-AFTRA, they have done everything possible to reach a fair deal, including a complete transformation of their initial proposal, which would make the annual cost per subscriber for companies less than $0.57 USD: "They have rejected our proposals and refused to counteroffer."
SAG-AFTRA Accuses Film and TV Companies of Greed
The union denounced that instead, companies would be employing "abusive tactics," mentioning to the press a cost 60% higher than what SAG-AFTRA proposed.
Moreover, they point out that companies claim to protect actors "consent" regarding artificial intelligence but fail to mention that this consent must be given on the actors first day of work and that the replication would be used not only in one project but for entire cinematic universes.
"The companies are using the same failed strategy they tried with the WGA [Writers Guild of America]—throwing out false information in an attempt to mislead our members and break our solidarity and put pressure on our negotiators," said SAG-AFTRA. "But just like the writers, our members are smarter than that and wont be fooled."
Finally, SAG-AFTRA pointed out that these companies have caused significant harm not only to their members but to the entire industry. The union reiterates that it has sacrificed too much in the face of their "evasiveness" and "greed" and emphasized its readiness to negotiate whenever possible.
What are your thoughts on SAG-AFTRAs struggle? Share in the comments.
