Title: A-List Actors Propose Changes to Help Resolve Actors’ Strike
Subtitle: George Clooney, Tyler Perry, and other prominent actors propose removing $1 million cap on membership dues
Byline: CNN
Date: [Current date]
In an effort to bring an end to the months-long actors’ strike, A-list actors including George Clooney and Tyler Perry have made a significant proposal to help resolve the ongoing contract negotiations with major studios. The proposal includes removing the $1 million cap on membership dues, which would allow top earners to contribute significantly more in membership fees each year. This move is aimed at boosting the union’s funding for health benefits, according to a source with knowledge of the proposal.
The proposal was presented during a meeting over Zoom between the actors and SAG-AFTRA union leadership on Tuesday. Alongside Clooney and Perry, other prominent guild members such as Emma Stone, Ben Affleck, and Scarlett Johansson were present at the meeting. They met with union leaders Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to discuss the proposed changes.
Deadline was the first to report this news, which has sparked discussions among industry insiders. Clooney, in an interview with Deadline, expressed the actors’ willingness to contribute more to the union. “A lot of the top earners want to be part of the solution,” Clooney said. “We’ve offered to remove the cap on dues, which would bring over $50 million to the union annually. Well over $150 million over the next three years. We think it’s fair for us to pay more into the union.”
In response, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher thanked the actors for their generous contribution but explained that it would not be legally possible. “We are a federally regulated labor union, and the only contributions that can go into our pension and health funds must be from the employer. So what we are fighting for in terms of benefits has to remain in this contract,” Drescher said in a video shared on Instagram.
Contract negotiations between the studios and SAG-AFTRA broke down on October 11, prompting the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to suspend discussions. The negotiations primarily revolve around revenue sharing and policies related to the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
The strike, which began on July 14, has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. The union and the negotiating committee are still waiting for the CEOs to return to the table to continue talks on resolving the ongoing issues.
The proposal put forth by A-list actors has brought renewed hope for a resolution to the strike. However, further discussions and negotiations are necessary to bridge the gap on actors getting paid. The industry awaits the next steps in these negotiations, hoping for a positive outcome that will benefit all parties involved.
CNN has reached out to SAG-AFTRA for comment on the latest developments.