SAG-AFTRA Board Approves Tentative Agreement with Studio CEOs
The majority of SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has voted to approve the tentative agreement reached with studio CEOs and the AMPTP earlier this week, marking the end of the 118-day strike. Following the vote, SAG-AFTRA released more details of the deal, which the guild stated is valued at more than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding.
An 80-page summary of the full agreement will go to eligible members of the guild on November 13, with ratification voting on the agreement starting on November 14 and running until the first week of December for the 160,000 member guild.
The tentative agreement has been hailed as a landmark achievement for the union, with meaningful protections around AI and the creation of a new compensation stream for performers working in streaming. The agreement also includes unprecedented wage increases and other important gains for actors, including improved relocation allowances, casting guidelines, and health and pension fund contribution caps.
However, there are also questions about the level of the increase for the streaming bonus fund, which is far less than the $500 million SAG-AFTRA had originally demanded. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher expressed hope that the criteria for the new compensation stream will be improved in future contract talks.
Looking ahead, Drescher also hinted at the guild’s preparations for the 2026 negotiations with the studios. Both Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland praised the deal for shattering pattern bargaining and for being “industry-breaking.” However, the full summary and fine print of the agreement have yet to be revealed, leaving some to question whether the deal differs significantly from what other industry unions have achieved in recent negotiations.
As the guild moves forward with the ratification process, members are encouraged to stay tuned for further developments.