In a bid to resolve the ongoing actors’ strike, SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios have extended their negotiations into the weekend. The discussions, which took place on Saturday, aimed to finalize a new three-year pact. The talks are set to continue on Sunday, with both sides showing a commitment to finding common ground.
Key Takeaways:
- The SAG-AFTRA negotiations with Hollywood studios continued over the weekend.
- The union and studios are discussing a new three-year pact to end the actors’ strike.
- Talks were described as “constructive” on Saturday.
- The union presented its latest responses to the studios during the discussions.
- Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers president Carol Lombardini led the studio side of the negotiations.
- The two sides have been trading proposals, with some progress made on wage floors and compensation for streaming platforms.
Constructive Talks Amidst Pressure
The recent discussions saw the union side present its latest responses to the studios. The studio side was led by the president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Carol Lombardini. Notably, no top company executives were present during Saturday’s negotiations, a departure from prior sessions held earlier in the week.
Progress on Key Issues
The industry has been closely monitoring the negotiations, with both sides trading proposals over several days. There have been movements on critical issues. For instance, regarding wage floors, studios have increased their offer from a 5% to a 7% rise in the first year. In response, the union has reduced its demand from 11% to 9%.
Another significant point of contention has been the union’s push for better compensation for members working on streaming platforms. While the studios adjusted their initial proposal based on streaming success, the union proposed a fee per streaming subscriber. The exact details of this new proposal were not immediately available.
Increasing Pressure to Resolve
The SAG-AFTRA strike has now reached its 107th day, and the pressure is mounting for both sides to make substantial progress. Earlier this month, a group of high-profile actors initiated talks with both the union and studios, aiming to expedite the negotiations. Some actors even began drafting a letter expressing concerns about the union’s leadership but refrained from publishing it due to potential impacts on the talks. On October 26, a separate letter was released, signed by thousands of actors, urging negotiators not to give in easily.
Studios are also feeling the heat, especially with the holiday season approaching and the future of their 2024 movie and broadcast schedules hanging in the balance. For instance, Disney recently announced changes to its 2024 release schedule, delaying two major releases by over a year due to the ongoing strike.
Conclusion
The extended negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios signify the urgency and commitment of both sides to resolve the ongoing actors’ strike. With the industry’s eyes on them, it remains to be seen if the weekend’s discussions will lead to a breakthrough. The hope is that both parties can find a middle ground that addresses the actors’ concerns while also being feasible for studios.
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