It’s finally over!!  After many stops and starts, the Hollywood actor’s strike is finally over after a deal between the studios and the actor’s union has been made.  The new agreement will be put to its members for a final vote, but is expected to pass.  With a tentative agreement in place, the strike is now over, meaning actors can return to work, filming shows and movies, taking part in press events like premieres and interviews and allowing everyone to go back to work properly.

Since the writers went on strike back in May, there has been a huge slowdown in production around the world, which then picked up steam when the actors also went on strike in July, which has cost the industry billions of dollars, but ultimately leaves both the writers and actors with more pay, better working conditions, protection from artificial intelligence and now a new bonus scheme for successful shows on streaming platforms.

The AMPTP issued a statement regarding the end of the strike:

 “Today’s tentative agreement represents a new paradigm. It gives SAG-AFTRA the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last forty years; a brand new residual for streaming programs; extensive consent and compensation protections in the use of artificial intelligence; and sizable contract increases on items across the board. The AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry resuming the work of telling great stories.”

And SAG-AFTRA has put out a statement confirming the end of the strike:

We are thrilled and proud to tell you that today your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP.  As of 12:01am PT on Nov. 9, our strike is officially suspended and all picket locations are closed. We will be in touch in the coming days with information about celebration gatherings around the country. 

In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes “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. Our Pension & Health caps have been substantially raised, which will bring much needed value to our plans. In addition, the deal includes numerous improvements for multiple categories including outsize compensation increases for background performers, and critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.

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.

Full details of the agreement will not be provided until the tentative agreement is reviewed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board.

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. 

Thank you all for your dedication, your commitment and your solidarity throughout this strike. It is because of YOU that these improvements became possible. 

 

In solidarity and gratitude, 

Your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee

Getting Hollywood and the film industry back on its feet after the strikes will take some time, with scheduling conflicts and a new release schedule for films and shows.  Many projects have been pushed back, such as “Elio” and “Snow White”.  With the upcoming holidays, there will likely be many projects bumped back to start after the new year, but at least now, scheduling can be organised, and people know work will resume.

It’s great to see the actors have been able to secure so many benefits to make sure all the chaos of this year’s strikes was worth it!

Are you glad the actor’s strike is over?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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