We’re at the last chance saloon for a resolution to the ongoing actors strike, at least that’s the tack taken by the studios as they lay down their “Last, Best, And Final Offer” to SAG-AFTRA, an offer they’re mulling over but one that appears to at the very least address square-on the major issues that have brought the industry to a halt for 114 days and counting. ‘Cautious optimism‘ seems to be the prevailing tone right now.
Currently, guild president Fran Drescher, chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and other members of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee are going over the AMPTP’s response and conferring on next steps, we hear. Whether that will result in further discussions later today or Sunday is unclear at the moment. “We’ve all come a long way, so taking the time to go over the guts of [the proposal] and the fine print is the only responsible way to approach this now,” a well-positioned guild member noted.
The package from the studios is said to include, but is not limited to, the highest wage increase in 40 years, and a 100% increase in performance compensation bonuses for high-budget streaming series and movies. As well, so-called “full” AI protections are in there. The last measure “goes a long way to what SAG wanted,” an industry vet says.
Whatever the outcome something has to give. The industry has been hammered by the two strikes, leaving not only actors but the crews who make their livelihoods possible out of work. The fall TV schedule will be bare, cinema in 2024 will see sporadic blockbusters come along and the Star Wars galaxy – one which at one point seemed set to deliver new live action, cinematic and animated content on a regular basis – will be stretched out for months to come, affecting schedules for the next few years. Cross those fingers in the hope that a resolution can be found.
Hollywood has been shut down since the WGA first went on strike in early May and SAG-AFTRA followed in mid-July. The latest economic estimates are that California’s has taken a $6.5 billion hit from the strikes and shutdowns, with more than 45,000 entertainment industry jobs lost.
