Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek, and Other Actors Call on SAG-AFTRA Leaders to Take Firm Stand: ‘No Compromise’
Over 400 prominent actors, including Academy Award winners Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rami Malek, are urging SAG-AFTRA leaders to adopt a more committed approach as contract negotiations reach a critical stage.
In an internal letter sent on Tuesday to the union’s negotiating committee and leadership, the members emphasized their preparedness to strike if necessary. They expressed concern that SAG-AFTRA members might be willing to make sacrifices that the administration is not ready to make.
With the contract set to expire on Friday, the union’s leadership can initiate a strike as early as Saturday if an agreement is not reached.
In the letter, the actors urged their negotiators not to settle for anything less than a “transformative deal.” They emphasized that this is not a time to seek a middle ground and stated that the outcome of these negotiations carries historical significance. The actors implored the union representatives to strive for complete changes and necessary protections, aiming to make history. If a full resolution proves unattainable, they requested that the leadership exercise the power vested in them by the membership and stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the picket lines. They viewed this as a pivotal moment for the union and its future and hoped the leadership would rise.
On Saturday, Fran Drescher, the union’s president, appeared in a video alongside Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator, describing the talks as “extremely productive.” However, the video received some backlash, with members feeling it signaled a readiness to settle for less than necessary.
The letter’s signatories also include Glenn Close, Ben Stiller, Laura Linney, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Elliot Page, Amy Poehler, Quinta Brunson, Liam Neeson, Emmy Rossum, Amy Schumer, Neil Patrick Harris, Constance Wu, Billy Eichner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Slattery, and Natasha Lyonne, among others.
SAG-AFTRA often witnesses dissenting voices during contract ratification votes, distinguishing it from other creative guilds. The union has a history of internal divisions; however, the two factions, Membership First and Unite for Strength, have come together to endorse a “unity slate.” Fran Drescher seeks another term as president, while Joely Fisher seeks re-election as secretary-treasurer.
Below is the complete text of the letter:
Dear SAG-AFTRA Leadership and Negotiating Committee,
We would like to express our gratitude for your diligent efforts and exemplary leadership during these challenging negotiations, occurring in an unparalleled period. As fellow SAG-AFTRA members, we have been deeply impressed by your clear delineation of the unique stakes involved and the necessity of realigning our industry. We were pleased to witness SAG-AFTRA’s pioneering stance among the guilds in recognizing AI as an immediate and significant threat to our livelihoods, describing it as a “game changer.” You understand the detrimental impact on our salaries, residuals, and the extended periods between seasons. We take immense pride in witnessing the union’s unification and the resounding support expressed through the strike authorization vote.
However, our commitment to solidarity compels us to be forthright and resolute. We acknowledge that a strike brings immense hardships to many, and it is an outcome that none of us desires. Nevertheless, we are prepared to strike if the situation necessitates it. We harbor concerns that SAG-AFTRA members may be willing to make sacrifices that the leadership is unwilling to make. You must comprehend our message: this juncture in our industry represents an unprecedented moment, and what might be considered a satisfactory agreement in any other year needs to meet our requirements. We firmly believe that our wages, craftsmanship, creative freedom, and the union’s influence have all suffered significant setbacks over the past decade. It is imperative to reverse these trends. In light of inflation and the ongoing expansion of streaming services, we require a substantial realignment of our minimum pay, new media residuals, exclusivity carveouts, and other relevant terms.
Additionally, we attach utmost importance to restoring dignity in the casting process by implementing regulations that govern self-tapes—an issue of paramount concern for working-class actors. Moreover, concerning Artificial Intelligence, we firmly reject that SAG-AFTRA members can settle for partial gains, banking on the promise of future progress within three years. This negotiation must safeguard our likenesses and ensure adequate compensation when any of our work is utilized for AI training. We want to clarify that we prefer to strike rather than compromise on these fundamental issues. Should we accept anything less than a transformative deal, it will undermine the future of our union and our craft, leaving SAG-AFTRA significantly weakened during subsequent negotiations.
Now is not the time for compromise; it is an understatement to say that the weight of history rests upon our shoulders. We implore you to advocate for the sweeping changes and essential protections we deserve, creating a historic legacy. If achieving the desired outcome proves elusive, we urge you to utilize the power bestowed upon you by the membership and stand alongside the Writers Guild of America on the picket lines. This represents a defining moment for our union and its future, and we hope that, on our behalf, you will seize this opportunity and not let it slip away.
More Project Casting Entertainment News:
Henry Cavill’s Bond Audition Was ‘Tremendous,’ Says ‘Casino Royale’ Director
Henry Cavill’s Bond Audition Impressed ‘Casino Royale’ Director: He Would’ve Been an Excellent 007 If Daniel Craig Hadn’t Secured the Role In a recent interview…
Box Office: ‘Spider-Verse’ Returns to No. 1 as ‘The Flash’ Collapses by 73%
Box Office Report: ‘Spider-Verse Reclaims No. 1 Spot, ‘The Flash’ Stumbles, and Jennifer Lawrence’s ‘No Hard Feelings’ Debuts with $15 Million In a surprising t…
Woody and Buzz Lightyear Are Returning for ‘Toy Story 5’
Woody and Buzz Lightyear to Return in Disney’s ‘Toy Story 5’ Pixar’s highly anticipated project, Toy Story 5, is officially underway, and fans will be delighted…
