Listen: SAG AFTRA strikes a deal

SAG-AFTRA Strikes a Deal: A Happy Ending for the Guild and Hollywood

In Brief
• SAG-AFTRA members successfully secured a deal with Hollywood studios after a 118-day strike.
• This deal resolves the issue of pay disparity by eliminating “free-for-all” low-budget production salaries and setting new rates for streaming platforms, resulting in 2.5% annual pay increases for actors.
• Residuals will now be paid to actors for programming made for subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
• The agreement also includes safety measures, including hiring “set medics” to provide medical attention on sets.
• Health care coverage is improved through two key measures: raising the minimum earnings required to qualify for the SAG-AFTRA health plan and increasing employers’ contribution rate.
• The agreement marks a win for SAG-AFTRA’s 160,000 members. It is an example of collective bargaining power in pursuit of actor rights and better working conditions in the entertainment industry.

It’s official— SAG-AFTRA’s 118-day strike has come to a close. After a prolonged negotiation period with Hollywood studios, a deal was finally struck, pleasing both parties.

The agreement is a sweet victory for the guild’s 160,000 members, who have fought tirelessly for their rights, better working conditions, and greater security. This blog post will delve into the deal’s details and what it means for the industry.

One of the main issues that led to the strike has been resolved through the deal which is the issue of pay disparity. More specifically, the deal intends to eliminate “free-for-all” low-budget production salaries and set new rates for streaming platforms.

The guild’s members will now receive pay increases of approximately 2.5% annually. This is much higher than the current rate of 1% per year. It’s a major victory as it recognizes actors’ contribution to the industry and, in addition, will make the rewards of their hard work much more tangible.

The agreement also deals with the issue of residuals. Studios have agreed to pay residuals for programming made for subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon. The move is significant because in the past, actors would receive only a one-time payment for programming aired on these services. Residuals provide ongoing income, and this helps ensure the economic well-being of the guild’s members.

Furthermore, the deal aims to improve safety conditions. Due to the inherent hazards of being on set, the guild has required production companies to hire “set medics” to provide medical attention to cast and crew. This is a positive step towards ensuring the well-being of the guild’s members, who risked their lives while working on sets.

The deal includes two significant increases in health care that aim to support the economic well-being of the guild’s aging members. First, the minimum earnings required to qualify for the SAG-AFTRA health plan will rise by 10% over three years. Second, the employers’ contribution rate for the plan has increased from 16.8% to 17.53%. This is a welcome boost to help retired members struggling with medical costs.

The agreement marks a win for the guild’s members after a long negotiation period; as such, it’s also a happy ending for the industry. This move towards improving working conditions, employee welfare, and economic well-being ensures the industry’s sustainability. The deal should also serve as an impetus for other guilds and industries to fight for their rights and continue pushing for reforms that favor them. The pivotal agreement is a testament to the power of collective bargaining and the importance of actor rights in the entertainment industry.