Bryan Cranston Delivers Passionate Speech at SAG-AFTRA Strike Rally Addressing Disney CEO Bob Iger
Earlier this week, renowned actor Bryan Cranston took the stage at a SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Times Square, where he delivered a powerful speech that included a direct message to Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. According to Variety, Cranston’s remarks were met with applause and support from the crowd.
During the “Rock the City for Fair Contract” rally, Cranston started his Disney-related comments by acknowledging the irony of speaking in front of an entity run by Disney. He then proceeded to address Iger directly, conveying a strong message on behalf of the striking union members.
“We’ve got a message for Mr. Iger. I know, sir, that you look at things through a different lens. We don’t expect you to understand who we are. But we ask you to hear us, and beyond that, to listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots,” Cranston passionately stated.
He continued, “We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. And lastly, and most importantly, we will not allow you to take away our dignity! We are union through and through, all the way to the end!”
Cranston’s speech was captured on video, which can be watched on various news outlets and social media platforms.
This comes in response to Bob Iger’s recent remarks on the strike during an interview with David Faber on CNBC. Iger described the labor actions as “very disturbing” and deemed the demands of actors and writers as “not realistic.” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher strongly criticized Iger’s comments, calling them “terribly repugnant and out of touch” and stating that they showcased his lack of understanding regarding the plight of hard-working individuals.
Bob Iger, who reportedly earned approximately $45.9 million in 2021, has faced criticism for his remarks, with some accusing him of being out of touch with the reality faced by union members.
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike primarily affects those under the 2020 TV & Theatrical contract, with some exceptions for certain areas such as interactive entertainment, audiobooks, and commercials, among others. This marks the first strike by SAG-AFTRA against television and film companies in over four decades.
Negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee and major studios and streamers, including Disney, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros., Netflix, and Amazon, have been ongoing since June 7. Following the expiration of the contract on July 12, the negotiating committee voted unanimously to recommend a strike.
Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has also been on strike for over two months, with demands related to royalties and residual payments from studios and streaming platforms. This is the first time since 1960 that writers and actors have been striking simultaneously.
Both SAG-AFTRA and WGA are advocating for similar demands concerning streaming and limitations on the use of AI technology to replicate performers’ likenesses. The WGA argues that the current state of the industry has transformed it into a detrimental “gig economy” for writers.
The SAG-AFTRA strike and the ongoing negotiations between the unions and major media companies have garnered significant attention and support from industry professionals and the public. The actors and writers hope to secure fair contracts that protect their rights and maintain the dignity of their professions.
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