The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced on Thursday, Nov. 9, that its strike has been suspended following a tentative agreement allowing for compensation increases and protection from the threat of artificial intelligence (AI).
“We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers. Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.
The approved contract valued at over one billion dollars contained “above-pattern” minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus.
The union added having their Pension and Health caps raised along with various improvements such as outsize compensation increases for background performers and critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.
“We also thank our union siblings – the workers that power this industry – for the sacrifices they have made while supporting our strike and that of the Writers Guild of America. We stand together in solidarity and will be there for you when you need us,” SAG-AFTRA furthered.
According to the union, entire details of the agreement will not be available for the public until the tentative agreement has been reviewed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board.
The SAG-AFTRA is a union between Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists which consist of over 160,000 actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts, stunt performers, and other media professionals.
SAG-AFTRA sounded the alarm for a strike after the new contract originally set to be renewed on July 12 lapsed without any agreement reached from both parties.
The SAG-AFTRA members clamored for better pay and working conditions against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) which represent studios, production companies, and streaming services amid threats of AI, subscription-based viewing (through streaming behemoths like Paramount, Disney, and Netflix), and declining residuals.
