Hollywood Actors Vote to Ratify Studio Deal After Strike

LOS ANGELES — Hollywood’s actors have voted to ratify the deal with studios that ended their strike after nearly four months, leaders announced Tuesday.

Uncertain Approval

The approval of the three-year contract from the members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists was no certainty, with some prominent members voicing dissent on the deal for which the union leaders bargained.

Voting Results

The 78% yes result in voting that began Nov. 13 and ended Tuesday was a far cry from the near-unanimous approval and widespread enthusiasm members of the writers guild gave to the deal that ended their strike in September.

A Major Relief for SAG-AFTRA Leaders

But the outcome is a major relief for SAG-AFTRA leaders and an entertainment industry that is attempting to return to normal after months of labor strife. And it brings a final, official end to Hollywood labor’s most tumultuous year in half a century, with two historic strikes that shook the industry.

Closing a Chapter in Entertainment Industry History

“Today we close out one of the most important chapters in recent entertainment industry history,” the union said in a tweet announcing the results Tuesday evening.

Strong and United Membership

“More yes votes than I expected and very happy to see because despite loud voices of complaint on social media, it shows the membership is still strong and united,” actor “Can’t Hardly Wait” actor Ethan Embry posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Back to work.”

Avoiding Another Strike

A rejection of the agreement would have meant a return to the bargaining table and, with that, the possibility of the actors going back on strike if leaders called for it.

Swift Declaring of Strike Over

Those leaders had freed actors to return to work, declaring the strike over as soon as the tentative deal was struck Nov. 8. Two days later, it was approved by the guild’s board with an 86% vote.

Contentious AI Issue

Control over the use of artificial intelligence was the most hard-fought issue in the long, methodical negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios, streaming services and production companies.

SAG-AFTRA Reaches Agreement on AI Reproductions and Streaming Payments

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the importance of obtaining informed consent and fair compensation for actors when it comes to the use of AI reproductions. This aspect became a “deal breaker” during the negotiation process, according to Drescher’s statement to The Associated Press.

However, not all prominent members of the union were satisfied with the outcome. Justine Bateman and Matthew Modine, in particular, expressed concerns about the contract. Modine, who ran against Drescher for union president in 2021, explained that compromising performers’ independence and financial futures led him to vote “no.” Modine also accused the agreement of being deliberately vague and forcing union members to surrender their autonomy, labeling consent as a form of submission.

On the other hand, several other influential actors lent their support to the agreement. Jessica Chastain, an Academy Award winner, and Colman Domingo, who has been generating significant Oscars buzz for his role in “Rustin,” both expressed their satisfaction with the deal. Domingo, in particular, praised the agreement for its thoughtfulness and its potential to drive progress forward.

The newly ratified contract includes a 7% general pay increase, with additional raises scheduled for the second and third years of the agreement. Additionally, negotiations resulted in the creation of a fund that addresses an important issue: compensating performers for future viewings of their work on streaming services. This provision aims to align payment structures with the industry’s current dominance of streaming platforms. However, it also sets the stage for further labor disputes and potential strikes in the future, given the evolving nature of the entertainment landscape.

In summary, after intense negotiations, SAG-AFTRA managed to reach a compromise regarding AI reproductions and streaming payments. The agreement strives to protect actors’ rights while acknowledging the industry’s evolving dynamics.