Negotiations resumed on October 24, and both parties have been exchanging proposals since then .
After a tense week that saw SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios swap proposals over a new three-year labor contract, both sides are expected to meet again over the weekend amid the ongoing actors’ strike, according to a source close to the negotiations.
During Friday’s negotiation session, it was observed that four prominent company executives who had been part of previous negotiation sessions throughout the week were initially absent. These executives included Bob Iger, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley, and David Zaslav. In their absence, Carol Lombardini, the president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, led the discussions on behalf of the industry.
In a statement to its members on Friday evening, the TV/theatrical negotiating committee of the union stated, “We completed a full and productive day working internally and will continue into the weekend.” They expressed their gratitude for the incredible solidarity and support demonstrated by union members through pickets and actions across the country throughout the week.
Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) over the new contract resumed after a nearly two-week break on Tuesday. During this session, executives such as Bob Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, and David Zaslav presented new ideas to the union. These ideas included adjustments to a previous success-based streaming bonus proposal and an increased wage floor offer for performers. The studios raised their wage floor increase proposal from a 5 percent increase in the first year to a 7 percent increase. However, this was still below the 11 percent increase initially sought by SAG-AFTRA.
In response, the union offered its own adjustments on Thursday, including a revised plan to secure more streaming compensation for members and a reduction of the wage floor increase proposal from 11 percent to 9 percent. On the same night, thousands of union members, including prominent figures like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cynthia Nixon, Mark Ruffalo, and Demi Moore, signed a letter in support of their negotiators, urging them not to accept a “bad deal” and expressing a willingness to continue the strike rather than settle for unfavorable terms. proposals since then
As the actors’ strike enters its 106th day, both sides are under immense pressure to reach an agreement. The studios are striving to salvage their 2024 broadcast and theatrical schedules that have been heavily impacted by months of production disruptions. During the ongoing strike and deadlock, Disney announced the postponement of two major spring releases, “Snow White” and Pixar’s “Elio,” by more than a year. On the other hand, the union has been fielding inquiries from A-list members eager for substantial progress in negotiations with Hollywood companies.