SAG-AFTRA has returned to the negotiating table with Hollywood studios to renegotiate the deal that ended the longest actors’ strike in history less than three years ago.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers met with union leaders Monday to officially begin negotiations on a new basic TV/Theatre agreement. Deadline understands that the two sides have been in informal communication for several months to show their priorities and use the pump early. On Saturday, the SAG-AFTRA national board approved the union’s official proposal.
We also heard that both sides have agreed to shut down the media as they used to do in the past. That means official statements are unlikely to reveal much about any progress unless things go sideways.
Regardless of how the negotiations progress, don’t expect much to emerge in the first few days. Normally, the union and each AMPTP will share proposals, which will need to be reviewed and contested. That usually eats as much in the first week, if not longer.
Health care is at the forefront of all three organizations in this round of negotiations. The DGA, WGA and SAG-AFTRA health and pension plans have all run deficits over the past few years to deal with rising health care costs amid a dramatic decline in employment. However, SAG-AFTRA president-elect Sean Astin told Deadline last month that he is hesitant to elevate any particular issue above all others. Simply put, it’s a tough time for entertainment.
“The idea of picking one thing or three things, I think, can start to put together a story that’s completely out of line with what we need,” he said. “One thing I think is that we’re doing a lot of hard work that companies benefit from, in terms of matching the types of people they work with and matching their needs.”
AI protection is also expected to be a topic of discussion, as are backlogs. While not an issue specific to the negotiations, the pending acquisition of Warner Bros. will also be a topic of discussion, as any contract will go through the next contract cycle.
The current SAG-AFTRA contract expires June 30. The Writers Guild of America East and West is expected to begin negotiations on March 6, followed by the Directors Guild in May, so the actors’ union has about a month to hammer out a deal. If not, they will circle back to the table after the WGA and DGA.
Speaking of which, the DGA issued a statement in support of its sister organization on Monday.
“The Directors Guild of America is engaged with SAG-AFTRA as it begins negotiations with AMPTP,” the organization said in a statement sent by a spokesperson. “Directors, directing teams, actors, and all creative workers share a common goal of fair compensation, world-class retirement and health benefits, meaningful workplace protections, sustainable jobs, and a future where all of our contributions are respected and valued. We are committed to standing with SAG-AFTRA in their fight for a fair contract that recognizes its members’ incredible contributions to the entertainment industry.”
