SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have agreed to extend their current film and TV contract until July 12, allowing negotiations for a new deal to continue. The current contract was set to expire at midnight PT, which could have potentially led to a strike by another major Hollywood guild. The extension of the contract is not unusual, as similar extensions were made in 2014 and 2017 before reaching new deals. The extension comes amid the Fourth of July holiday, during which the industry typically shuts down.
The decision for an extension was expected, with July 7 initially being considered. However, negotiations are not expected to resume until after the holiday weekend. Both sides have agreed to a media blackout and will not comment on the negotiations during the extension period.
The extension comes as SAG-AFTRA members continue to campaign for a strong bargaining position. More than 1,700 actors, including prominent SAG-AFTRA members, signed a letter urging the guild to join the Writers Guild on the picket lines if a major “realignment in our industry” isn’t achieved. The ongoing Writers Guild strike is currently in its 60th day.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland remain optimistic that a fair deal can be reached. However, Drescher mentioned that negotiations are making progress in some areas but not in others. Prior to the extension, SAG-AFTRA members voted in favor of authorizing a strike if contract talks fail to reach an acceptable deal. Key bargaining issues for SAG-AFTRA include economic fairness, residuals, regulating the use of artificial intelligence, and alleviating the burdens of self-taping auditions.
The guild aims to secure increased compensation for its members, ensure fair residual payments that reflect the economic value of their work, protect against the misuse of artificial intelligence, and implement reasonable rules and limitations for self-taped auditions. The negotiations will also cover other important issues specific to different careers and categories.
Ultimately, the extension allows for more time for negotiations and the opportunity for both sides to reach a fair deal.