Over one month into writers going on strike, the union that represents actors has authorized a possible strike amid negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Members of SAG-AFTRA approved the strike-authorization with a 97.9% vote. The last actors guild strikes occurred in 1980 and 2012.
The concerns of guild members resonate with the same sentiments of writers combating the threat of AI technology, calling it an “immediate threat to the work of our members” as it “mimic[s] members’ voices, likenesses and performances,” and an industry shift to digital streaming. Other issues include fair pay and the rise of self-taping, which has become “unregulated and out of control” and a “uncompensated burden on the lives of performers.”
“We need to ensure a future where members can make a living as a performer and are protected from the misuse of evolving technologies,” said a joint statement released by Fran Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA, and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director of the guild.
The statement continues, “SAG-AFTRA is committed to ensuring our members are able to make a living performing in scripted dramatic live action entertainment. This means ensuring increased compensation when our members work, shoring up the funding of our Health, Retirement, and Pension Plans, and providing our members a meaningful share of the economic value created by their performances.”
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike at the top of May after negotiations went awry. Themed picketing has continued at major studios on both the east and west coast.
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The Directors Guild of America (DGA) avoided a strike-authorization vote after a unanimous decision to approve the renewed contract with AMPTP this week.
