Actors' strike: The terms of the provisional agreement between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP
The actors’ union released details of the negotiation as part of its efforts to get its members to vote.
(Cordon Press)
At the request of some of its members, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA published the draft of the agreement it reached with the major studios, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which put an end to the historic and costly strike that began in early July. The publication of the details of the deal, which the union said unusual but necessary, is part of SAG-AFTRA's campaign for its nearly 160,000 members to ratify the agreement .
"I’m so proud of your Negotiating Committee and what we have achieved with this seminal contract. Over and over again blank pages became filled with new language, compensations and protections that never existed before," said Fran Drescher, president of the union, urging actors to educate themselves and vote yes or no before the deadline: on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. (PT).
Drescher highlighted the benefits achieved in terms of streaming compensation, salary increases and protections against artificial intelligence. As part of the efforts to mobilize its members, the organization is also posting videos and explanatory guides and organizing live talks to answer questions.
If the agreement is ratified, actors will see an increase in minimum wages both when working for film and television. Minimum wages will increase by 7% starting Nov. 9. This will be followed by another 4% increase on the first day of July next year and another 3.5% increase on the same date in 2025. Extras will start with an 11% increase in November and will then be adjusted to the same percentages as the rest.
An agreement was also reached regarding the controversial "residuals" and royalties, which are payments actors receive when content is broadcast after its premiere. Although this part of the agreement has generated confusion among actors, it establishes a system by which residuals paid in advance must go through the union, which will then distribute them to the artists. It also includes provisions for streaming platforms. It establishes that producers must provide information on streaming deals for high-budget productions. Streaming companies’ lack of transparency in terms of consumption data made it difficult to calculate viewership data.
Regarding artificial intelligence, one of the union's objectives was to force producers to seek consent from actors, SAG-AFTRA and their representatives to use replicas of their image and voice.
Read the full agreement
SAG-AFTRA contract by Santiago Adolfo Ospital on Scribd
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