SAG-AFTRA, studios resume talks as strike reaches 103-day mark
Negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA actors and the Hollywood studios resumed Tuesday, on the 103rd day of the strike.
The plans to meet again were announced by SAG-AFTRA three days ago, on the 100th day of the strike. Actors say they have to stay strong. They don't want to accept a deal now that they would not have accepted 100 days ago.
SAG-AFTRA members are asking for increased residuals on streaming content, restrictions regarding the use of artificial intelligence and higher wages.
Many were optimistic that the strike would come to an end earlier, as both sides reinitiated talks just days after the nearly 150-day-long WGA strike came to an end in late September.
However, talks ended Oct. 11 as Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) negotiators walked away from the table saying there was a clear "gap between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA."
The AMPTP said the union's request of $500 million a year from streaming platforms for actors would be too great of an economic burden. Studios offered $20 million annually from streaming platforms during the last round of negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA says their streaming revenue-sharing plan comes down to about 57 cents annually per subscriber.
"It is clear that the strength and solidarity shown by our members has sent an unmistakable message to the CEOs. As we have repeatedly said, we are ready, willing and able to engage on a moment's notice to meet and to work across the table to achieve a deal that is worthy of your sacrifice<" SAG-AFTRA said
The question is, will this round of negotiations be any different than the last. It remains to be seen. "I'm not optimistic there will be a deal, but in order for there to be a deal, someone is going to have to move significantly. And it's just not clear if either party is in the mood or mode to do that," Jonathan Handel, entertainment attorney said.
The SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14, just two months after WGA members began their own strike on May 2.