Terms And Details Released Of SAG-AFTRA’s Contract Post-Strike

After being on the picket lines for over a hundred days, the historic SAG-AFTRA strike has finally ended. With the end of the strike comes a release on the matters and terms of the deal struck. 

The contract with the studios was met with an 86% approval rating, now making its way up to membership to face ratification. The approval was announced on Friday afternoon, with SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and the negotiating committee presiding. Per Variety, full terms are set to be announced Monday. The agreement left both the guild and AMPTP satisfied. 

SAG-AFTRA also confirmed that, unfortunately, they failed to get everything they wanted, including streaming residuals. “This is an ongoing, living thing — a contract,” President Drescher had to say. “And we’re not over. We’re only just beginning.”

Part of the guild’s hopes were that a fund of $40 million could be distributed to a range of producers over time, but only $10 million was granted; according to CNN, background actors will see a pay bump of 11%.  As for AI, guidelines were developed to protect against abusing artificial intelligence, but it can still be used to replicate likenesses if given permission. 

While the Actors Guild couldn’t see much give on residuals, the WGA saw success in that field earlier this year after enacting their strike. After the contract received a vote with 99% in favor, CNN reported, they can expect to see a significant bump in residuals and compensation for big-budget productions once they hit streaming. 

“For me, the whole thing, the weight of it all, was extremely stressful,” Drescher said. “We went to the press and said, ‘What are they doing? What are they waiting for? Are they trying to smoke us out?’ Well, honey, I quit smoking a long time ago. So I think they finally realized they were facing a new kind of leadership in me and Duncan.” She also added how important it was to regulate AI to protect guild members.

The agreement’s ratification will occur over 21 days and wrap up in early December.