Hollywood looks set to be back in business after striking actors agreed to a tentative deal with studios to return to work.
Several movie and television productions have been left in a state of limbo over the last few months after the strike by the Writers Guild of America was announced in May. Not long after, they were joined by members of the Screen Actors Guild, who also went on strike.
The writers and actors shared similar concerns with current contracts, as the previous agreement did not allow them to be eligible for residual payments from streaming services, while both groups were concerned about the emergence of Artificial Intelligence tools being used in the industry.
The Writers Guild of America reached an agreement first, but no filming could take place until SAG-AFTRA allowed actors to return. Thankfully, a new contract has been agreed upon,
SAG-AFTRA statement
Read SAG-AFTRA's statement below:
'Dear SAG-AFTRA Members,
We are thrilled and proud to tell you that today your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. As of 12:01am on November 9, our strike is officially suspended and all picket locations are closed. We will be in touch in the coming days with information about celebration gatherings around the country.
In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes "above-pattern" minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus. Our Pension & Health caps have been substantially raised, which will bring much needed value to our plans. In addition, the deal includes numerous improvements for multiple categories including outsize compensation increases for background performers, and critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.
We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers. Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work.
Full details of the agreement will not be provided until the tentative agreement is reviewed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board.
We also thank our union siblings -- the workers that power this industry -- for the sacrifices they have made while supporting our strike and that of the Writers Guild of America. We stand together in solidarity and will be there for you when you need us.
Thank you all for your dedication, your commitment and your solidarity throughout this strike. It is because of YOU that these improvements became possible.
In solidarity and gratitude,
Your TV/TH Negotiating Committee'
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