SAG-AFTRA negotiations have ended for the day, as the studios and the union plan to keep working on a deal to end the 107-day strike.
Negotiations Set to Resume Sunday Following Union’s Latest Response
Following the union’s latest response on Saturday, negotiations are set to continue on Sunday, with the studios currently reviewing their stance.
A source from the studio side characterized the talks as “productive.”
Carol Lombardini, CEO of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, represented the studios during the Saturday session, as the four studio CEOs who had previously been involved were absent on this occasion.
AMPTP Holds Four Meetings in the Past Five Days with Union Leadership
With both parties sensing the urgency to reach a resolution, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has engaged in talks with union leadership for four out of the last five days.
While moments of optimism have surfaced during certain junctures over the past few days, there has also been a notable degree of frustration within the negotiations. union plan to keep
Union Plans Upcoming Picketing and Thematic Solidarity Event
On Saturday morning, the union sent a standard reminder to its members regarding scheduled picketing activities. A “unity picket” at Disney is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, marking the 111th day of the strike, with all other studio picketing canceled on that day.
Additionally, the union is organizing a Halloween-themed “Solidarity Screamfest” on Tuesday. Members have been advised not to dress as characters from studio-backed projects to avoid any potential misinterpretation as endorsing “struck work.”
SAG-AFTRA’s demands include a substantial across-the-board raise to combat inflation, a new payment structure for actors in streaming shows, and innovative safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence to create “digital doubles.”
Major studios have cautioned that if an agreement is not reached in the coming days, the current scripted TV season could be in jeopardy. Recent weeks have witnessed the postponement of multiple films, including “Snow White” and the next installment of “Mission: Impossible,” prompting concerns that more delays may follow without a prompt resolution.
Over 4,600 SAG-AFTRA members signed an open letter this week expressing their support for union leadership. The letter conveys their determination to remain on strike rather than accept an unfavorable deal.