Martin Sheen, Kerry Washington, Ron Perlman, and other prominent Hollywood figures gathered at a National Day of Solidarity rally held outside Disney to support SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing strike. The rally, which took place on the 40th day of the strike, drew several thousand participants, including local labor leaders, members of various unions, and stars of “The West Wing.”
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive secretary and chief negotiator, called for leaders of Hollywood studios and streaming platforms to step in and help bring the sides to a new deal. He revealed that the union has had some informal outreach from industry insiders to assist with communication between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
While there have been conversations happening behind the scenes, Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that the biggest difference will come from the involvement of studio CEOs. SAG-AFTRA is willing to meet with studio bargaining representatives at any time but acknowledges that the AMPTP is currently focused on negotiations with the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since May 2.
One of the main issues causing a deadlock in negotiations is the proposal to share revenue from streaming. Crabtree-Ireland clarified that the exact mechanics of the proposal are open to negotiation, but what’s most important is the principle of sharing revenue. During the strike, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating team has had conversations with their WGA counterparts and supports them on various issues, including regulating the use of artificial intelligence.
The rally featured passionate speeches from union leaders and actors who called for unity and emphasized the importance of standing up for labor rights in Hollywood. Martin Sheen, known for his role in “The West Wing,” urged rally-goers to embrace their union and stick together. Kerry Washington, who played Olivia Pope in “Scandal,” highlighted the decline in wages for actors and stressed that making a living doing what they love should not be impossible.
Other speakers at the rally included actors Ron Perlman, Sean Astin, Rachel Brosnahan, union leaders, and representatives from the Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America. The event sought to send a clear message to management that Hollywood labor should not be taken lightly.
The ongoing strike has disrupted the entertainment industry, but with the support and unity showcased at the rally, SAG-AFTRA and its members remain determined to fight for fair contracts and ensure a sustainable future for actors and other industry professionals.