2023 SAG-AFTRA strike

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2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
Part of 2023 Hollywood labor disputes
File:SAG-AFTRA Picket I (53051649802).jpg
SAG-AFTRA members picketing in New York City in July 2023
Date July 14, 2023 – present
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Location
United States
Primarily Los Angeles and New York City[lower-alpha 1][1]
Caused by
Goals
  • Ratification of a labor contract
  • Streaming service residual formula
  • Greater regulation of self-tape auditions
  • Preventing artificial intelligence from replacing actors on set
Methods
Parties to the civil conflict
Lead figures
Units involved
Number
Casualties and losses
Casualties

On July 14, 2023, the American actors' union SAG-AFTRA went on strike over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). It has coincided with a Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in a series of broader Hollywood labor disputes.

The strike marks the first time that actors have initiated a labor dispute in the U.S. since the 1980 actors strike and the first time that actors and writers have walked out simultaneously since 1960. Both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA labor disputes have contributed to the biggest interruption to the American television and film industries since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[2]

Background

Unionization in Hollywood

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Further information: 2023 Writers Guild of America strike
File:SAG-AFTRA-Building-New-Logo - Photo by Socialbilitty.jpg
SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles, California

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is a labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals and entertainers.[3] The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) trade association represents film and television studios in collective bargaining negotiations with unions such as SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), and Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West, comprising the Writers Guild of America (WGA).[4] SAG-AFTRA was formed by the merger of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) in March 2012, allowing SAG-AFTRA to represent not only actors, but also journalists, talk show hosts, and other broadcast workers.[5] The WGA and the Screen Actors Guild have not simultaneously been on strike since 1960, when actors joined striking writers over residual payments from films sold to television networks.[6] The 1980 actors strike involved the combined efforts of SAG and AFTRA.[7] The largest SAG-AFTRA strike since 1980 occurred in 2000, in which commercial actors went on strike to push for a continuation of the residual system against advertiser backlash, amidst the divisions between SAG and AFTRA.[8]

During the last decade and the rise of streaming, writers and actors have been frustrated over studio policy regarding residuals from streaming services; the decline of network television has led to a stronger reliance on other residuals. The 2007–08 WGA strike was motivated in large part by studio executives insisting that writers should receive no residuals from streaming services.[9] The 2007–08 strike cost the city of Los Angeles an estimated US$1.5 billion, according to NPR.[10] As with striking WGA writers, actors have expressed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence, noting that it could be used to replicate their likeness without compensation.[11][12]

Contract negotiations

Weeks after the Writers Guild of America went on strike, SAG-AFTRA's national board of directors unanimously agreed to pursue a strike authorization vote ahead of a renewed contract; SAG-AFTRA approved a new contract in 2020 that would expire on June 30, 2023.[13] The union stated that it did not intend to strike but that it sought to give its negotiators "maximum bargaining leverage" ahead of negotiations on June 7, 2023.[14] SAG-AFTRA cited several issues in negotiations, including "economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence and alleviating the burdens of the industry-wide shift to self-taping", and told its members that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers would cut actors' salaries to "pad corporate profits".[15] In a video released on May 30, 2023, SAG-AFTRA members Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jean Smart, and Kumail Nanjiani appealed to members to vote to strike but reserved that a vote for strike authorization was solely a bargaining tool, not a vote to order an immediate strike.[16]

On June 5, 2023, SAG-AFTRA approved the strike authorization by a 98% margin, according to the union.[17] High-profile members—including Quinta Brunson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rami Malek[18]—signaled their willingness to strike ahead of the deadline to achieve a "transformative deal",[19] despite "extremely productive" negotiations.[20] SAG-AFTRA agreed to extend negotiations to midnight on July 13, 2023, in an attempt to avoid a strike, but negotiations broke down in July 2023.[21] SAG-AFTRA surveyed members on a strike on July 5, 2023[22] and began preparing picket signs two days later.[23]

The AMPTP agreed to a "last-minute request" for mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on July 11, 2023; congressional and public affairs director Greg Raelson stated that a federal mediator would be present the following day. In turn, SAG-AFTRA accused the AMPTP of attempting to extend negotiations beyond the deadline and reiterated that it would not continue negotiating after July 12, 2023.[24] A number of high-profile actors, including Lawrence and Malek, then affirmed their support again by signing a letter urging the union to take aggressive measures and stating their willingness to strike.[25] It was later reported by Variety that mediation collapsed after AMPTP President Carol Lombardini insulted negotiators by telling them to "be civilized" and avert a strike, which prompted a walkout by union negotiators.[26] In response to Lombardini's comment, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher reportedly said to AMPTP negotiators "Now you've got two unions on strike" as they left.[26]

Strike action

File:Fran Drescher 2018.jpg
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher announced the strike on July 13, 2023.

On July 13, 2023, with no agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee voted unanimously to recommend a strike to the union's national board.[27] The national board held a vote officially approving the strike.[28] SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher announced the strike would begin at midnight on July 14;[29] the cast of Oppenheimer left the film's London premiere ahead of the announcement to walk out.[30] Joined by chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland,[31] Drescher argued the strike was a reluctant last resort[32] and described the proposed contract as "moving around furniture on the Titanic."[33] In the press conference, Crabtree-Ireland alleged that the AMPTP attempted to include a proposal that allowed studios to, for a one-time fee equivalent to one day's pay, have exclusive and indefinite rights to extras' likenesses, including the use of generative AI to replicate them on screen.[34][35] Media commentators likened this to the film The Congress (2013) and the Black Mirror episode "Joan Is Awful".[36][37] However, AMPTP denied these claims, stating that their proposal would allow usage only within the specific film for which they are employed and that any other use would require consent and compensation.[34] The strike officially began on July 14.[38]

As part of the rules established on July 10, actors cannot engage in film or television productions and cannot take part in promotional work, such as press junkets, film premieres, and events—including San Diego Comic-Con, which was scheduled for July 20–23.[39] The strike action does not apply to SAG-AFTRA members who work under those contracts that are negotiated by the union separately from the AMPTP contract, including broadcast journalists.[40] Work in podcasts, "micro-budget" independent films, and student films is allowed, as is "unscripted" television work such as game shows, reality competition shows, documentaries, and talk shows.[41] Internationally, SAG-AFTRA members are authorized to continue work in the United Kingdom under pre-established Equity collective bargaining agreements, as UK law criminalizes solidarity strikes.[42] The HBO series House of the Dragon thus continued its UK-based filming with SAG-AFTRA actors operating under Equity contracts, prompting backlash among fans of the series.[43]

On July 17, SAG-AFTRA released a twelve-page statement outlining the breakdown in negotiations, and terms they found unacceptable, including but not limited to a five-percent salary increase for actors, while the union had asked for eleven percent.[44] The AMPTP released a counter-statement, highlighting that its actions were being "deliberately distort[ed]" and that SAG-AFTRA had chosen to pass over "the most lucrative deal we have ever negotiated... valued at $318 million over the three-year term of the contract."[45][46]

On July 19, 2023, SAG-AFTRA approved more films to be shot during the strike, including Ishana Night Shyamalan's The Watchers. A total of 56 films are now eligible to shoot under strike rules.[47]

New York strikes

SAG-AFTRA's New York strikes took place at Paramount's New York headquarters at 1515 Broadway and various offices of NBCUniversal, including Rockefeller Center. Jason Sudeikis joined the NBCUniversal picket lines, stating that actors would strike for "as long as it takes", as did Joe Pantoliano, the Naked Cowboy, Alex Edelman, and Sarah Sherman. Meanwhile, at Paramount's headquarters, picket lines included Michael Schur and Kevin Bacon.[48][49][50][51]

Rock the City for a Fair Contract

On July 25, 2023, thousands of actors rallied on Tuesday morning at Times Square from 9:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. to voice their concerns about fair treatment and wages. SAG-AFTRA's main contractual negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland spoke about the struggle the union is facing with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Many celebrities gave speeches to express their concerns about the future of their union and technological advancements in the industry. In attendance were: Lauren Ambrose, Matt Bomer, Christine Baranski, Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Tituss Burgess, Liza Colón-Zayas, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain, Gregory Diaz, Jennifer Ehle, Brendan Fraser, Nancy Giles, Danai Gurira, Jill Hennessy, Marin Hinkle, Stephen Lang, Arian Moayed, Christopher Meloni, Chloë Grace Moretz, Wendell Pierce, Michael Shannon, Christian Slater, Corey Stoll, Merritt Wever and Rachel Zegler.[52][53][54]

Los Angeles strikes

SAG-AFTRA's strikes in Los Angeles targeted the major film studios as well as offices for companies. Drescher personally joined the strikes outside of Netflix's offices. Josh Gad was among the protestors at Fox Entertainment's picket lines. Allison Janney, Kaitlyn Dever, Logan Lerman, and Joey King joined protests at Warner Bros., and actresses Constance Zimmer and Ginnifer Goodwin took part in picket lines at Paramount's Los Angeles studios. Disney's offices saw picket lines whose notable members included Mandy Moore, Michelle Monaghan, Raini and Rico Rodriguez, Danielle Fishel, and Ben Schwartz.[49][55]

Hostility from Universal Studios Hollywood

NBCUniversal has been accused of conducting business at Universal Studios Hollywood to deter or endanger the protesters and infringe on their rights to protest.[56][57]

On July 12, 2023, a statement was made announcing the construction of a Fast & Furious-themed roller coaster;[58] the date of the announcement coincided with the deadline SAG-AFTRA gave before ending negotiations with the AMPTP, and construction began by the strike's start. This added to the construction that begun on May 8, shortly after the WGA began protesting on-site, obstructing Lankershim Boulevard along the west end of the park's campus and parking lot and further restricting sidewalk access.[59] The sidewalks in front of Gates 1, 2, 4, and 5 would be scaffolded-off and demolished in this construction.[56][59] Despite prior advice from the Los Angeles Police Department's Labor Relations Unit to place K-rails from River Road to Universal Hollywood Drive for the safety of protesters and other pedestrians since WGA protests as early as June 6, none were placed by July 18, by which time reports of two protesters being struck by vehicles had been made.[56][59]

On July 17, the ficus trees on Barham Boulevard's sidewalk outside Gate 8 were pruned almost entirely of their leaves.[60] Pine trees on the opposite side of Barham were not touched, as were a row of pepper trees behind the fence near the production gate. The pruning was described as a vindictive action as the trees were being used by protesters as shade from the above 90 °F (32 °C) summer weather of Southern California, as well as illegal, citing ownership by the city and violation of Los Angeles' tree ordinance codes that prohibit the trimming of trees from July to September.[61][62][63][64]

NBCUniversal issued a statement to Deadline Hollywood denying that the trimming was done out of malice, claiming that they trim the trees outside the park in July annually for safety, and describing it and the obstructive construction hazards as "unintended challenges for demonstrators".[56] NBCUniversal was fined US$250 for violating tree laws and destroying city property.[65]

On July 18, SAG-AFTRA and WGA issued a joint grievance to the National Labor Relations Board against NBCUniversal, accusing the company of infringing on their freedom to picket and endangering their members.[66] Writers Guild of America West additionally filed a petition to the AMPTP for NBCUniversal's failure to install barriers to protect their and SAG-AFTRA's protesters from being forced into traffic.[56][59][67] NBCUniversal responded to The Hollywood Reporter in a statement: “We are aware of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA complaints. We strongly believe that the company has fulfilled our legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and we will cooperate with respect to any inquiries by the National Labor Relations Board on this issue. While we understand the timing of our multi-year construction project has created challenges for demonstrators, we continue to work with public agencies to increase access. We support the unions’ rights to demonstrate safely.”[57]

"Quick Photo Op" strikes

SAG-AFTRA also staged brief strikes at other locations outside of New York and Los Angeles. Branded as "Quick Photo Op" strikes, these took place in Orlando, Honolulu, and Atlanta. The union stated it plans to launch more protests across the country, requesting that SAG-AFTRA members contact their local executives for details.[68]

Responses and reactions

Media executives

Before the end of SAG-AFTRA's negotiations, one anonymous AMPTP executive stated that their current strategy was to "allow things to drag on until union members [started] losing their apartments and losing their houses" to force SAG-AFTRA into less favorable negotiating positions.[69]

Disney CEO Bob Iger

Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said the actors' demands were "not realistic", adding they were "adding to the set of challenges that this business is already facing". Iger has been criticized for these remarks in light of his contract with Disney, which allows him to earn as much as $27 million in 2023 between his salary and bonuses.[70] TheWrap wrote Iger makes over 500 times the median salary of Disney employees, while Town & Country wrote it was actually 1,242 times a Disney employee's median salary.[71][72] Drescher, when asked about Iger's remarks, described them as "repugnant" and "tone deaf." She went on to call Iger a "land baron" who "has no idea about what is really happening".[73] The Wall Street Journal also called Iger "tone deaf".[74] Actor Bryan Cranston responded to Iger in part: "[W]e will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots."[75]

Politicians

U.S. president Joe Biden, Vermont U.S. senator Bernie Sanders,[76] and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass have voiced their support for the actors' union.[77] Biden had previously supported the writers on strike in May 2023.[78][79] Some politicians joined the picket lines themselves, including Burbank mayor Konstantine Anthony (himself a SAG-AFTRA member) and California U.S. Representative Adam Schiff.[80][81] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the picket line in front of Netflix studios in New York City. She criticized the wealth of studio executives while the average screenwriter or actor struggles to get access to healthcare, and she emphasized the power of direct action in achieving economic victories.[82]

Other unions

Numerous other labor unions in the United States expressed support for the strike. Along with the Writers' Guild, statements of support were released by the Directors Guild and Producers Guild. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, itself in a contractual dispute with UPS and scheduled to go on strike at the end of July if no deal is reached, expressed support through a statement released by their president, Sean O'Brien. The AFL–CIO additionally threw their support behind SAG-AFTRA, as did the Department for Professional Employees,[83] the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the Writers Guild of America, East.[84][85]

Other organizations

Both forthcoming film festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival, has acknowledged the potential impact of the strike and its associated ban on promotional appearances by actors if the strike is not resolved by September, but have indicated that both events will proceed regardless, with an increase of European, Asian, and South American titles in all sections being expected.[86][87]

Impacted productions

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Main article: List of productions impacted by the 2023 SAG–AFTRA strike

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ As SAG-AFTRA members live and work across the country, "strike support events" have been called in other filming locations, including to date Atlanta, Honolulu, and San Francisco.

References

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