11/11/23 By Madison Lucchesi
The SAG-AFTRA board approved their agreement with Hollywood studios in a vote on Friday, beginning the ratification process.
The 118-day strike was the longest in the union’s history, causing an estimated $6-10 billion in losses. According to the studio alliance, the deal is “the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union.” A 7% wage increase is effective immediately.
SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday, and members began voting on the agreement Tuesday. The ratification process will conclude during the first week of December.
The agreement establishes a requirement for productions to gain actor consent to portray them using AI, and the consent must be obtained with each new project. Actors will receive on-screen compensation for these portrayals.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “AI was a dealbreaker. If we didn’t get that package, then what are we doing to protect our members?”
Actors are permitted to return to work immediately, although the ratification process is ongoing. There is high demand for new TV shows and movies, but new projects will not be released for a few more months.