- The strike on Hollywood is finally over
- Actors have reached an agreement with studios
- THIS is how some stars reacted to the news
"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," the union said. "As of 12:01am PT on November 9, our strike is officially suspended and all picket locations are closed."
It's back to work now
The guild's new contract, valued at a whopping $1 billion, is set to revolutionize the industry. It includes "above-pattern" minimum compensation increases and unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation. The deal also promises to protect members from the looming threat of AI and introduces a streaming participation bonus for the first time.
"We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers," the organization proudly announced. "Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work."
In the midst of this landmark resolution, Hollywood sweetheart Drew Barrymore issued a tearful apology for the return of her talk show amid the strike. The apology, filled with raw emotion, further highlighted the tension and turmoil that has been brewing in Tinseltown.
With the strike officially suspended as of 12:01 am PT on November 9, Hollywood is set to return to its full, dazzling glory. But the echoes of this strike and the impact of this billion-dollar deal will undoubtedly reverberate through the industry for years to come.
As per the guild, the contract they agreed upon is valued at over $1 billion and 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."
The long-awaited agreement comes as a happy surprise to many actors, like Zac Efron learning the news at the Nov. 8 premiere of 'The Iron Claw', which was previously granted an exemption from the strike so the cast could promote the film.
"Let's go!" he told reporters in a video published by Rotten Tomatoes, as his costar Harris Dickinson joked, "Let's f--king get outta here and get back to work." Meanwhile, their castmate Jeremy Allen White said he was "so happy."
Hollywood speaks out
Celebrated actress Octavia Spencer said "Ready to work now that the strike is over! Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee! Proud to stand in solidarity with all SAG members over the last 118 days."
Mandy Moore posted: "Thank you @sagaftra negotiators and leadership for getting us over the finish line!!! Gratitude is the attitude!! And grateful to all those who walked the walked (picketers, strike captains, Our fellow union brothers and sisters, etc...)"
SAG president Fran Drescher chimed in with: "We did it!!!! The Billion+ $ Deal! 3X the last contract! New ground was broke everywhere!Ty sag aftra members for hanging in and holding out for this historic deal! Ty neg comm, strike captains, staff, Duncan & Ray, our lawyers, the IA team , family and friends. Our sister unions for their unrelenting support! And the amptp for hearing us and meeting this moment! #sagaftrastrong."
Actress Kate Walsh said: "The longest actors strike in Hollywood history is finally over!! I couldn't be more proud of our @SAGAFTRA negotiating committee, who persisted to get us all the RIGHT deal. I am in teary awe of my fellow actors and sister unions who fought with all they had, and for all the amazing people that make the magic happen in front of and behind the camera."
Also interesting:
An end in sight?
The end is here!
The show must go on
Many film and TV sets shut down when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called a strike in the spring. While WGA members returned to penning scripts in late September, the ongoing SAG-AFTRA work stoppage left many productions dark.
The disruptions cost California more than $6 billion in lost output, according to a Milken Institute estimate. With little work available, many prop masters, costume designers and other crew members struggled to make ends meet. FilmLA, the group that approves filming permits, reported scripted production during the week of Oct. 29 had fallen 77% from the same time a year earlier.
The Hollywood strikes came during a year of other high-profile job actions. The United Auto Workers recently ended six weeks of walkouts at Detroit carmakers. Teachers, nurses and healthcare workers also walked off the job.
And so, despite this victory, the full toll of the strike is yet to be felt.
