SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has responded to a proposal led by George Clooney, suggesting the removal of caps on union dues. Drescher expressed appreciation for the gesture but explained that the proposal would not be legally compatible with the union’s contract with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP). She emphasized that the proposal does not impact the contract currently being negotiated.
Clooney and other A-list actors met with SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Drescher earlier this week to offer the bold proposal. The idea behind the proposal is for high-earning members to pay more in dues to bridge the gap between the union’s demands and what the studios and streamers are willing to give. The proposal also aims to prioritize residual payments for lower-income members over higher-income members.
However, due to federal labor regulations, Drescher stated that only employer contributions can go into the union’s pension and health funds. Therefore, the proposal would not work legally within the current contract. Drescher clarified that the proposal and the ongoing negotiations are separate issues.
The negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have stalled over the union’s streaming viewership proposal. SAG-AFTRA is requesting streaming services to pay 57 cents per subscriber to create a fund for distributing to members whose work appears on these platforms. The AMPTP has argued that the proposal would create an “untenable economic burden.” The two sides also disagree over AI guardrails for entertainment and minimum rate increases for the next three years.
Drescher also addressed the suggestion in the Clooney-led plan regarding residuals. She confirmed that the idea was vetted by union contract staff negotiators and lawyers but was determined to be unviable due to the complex nature of the issue. Drescher called for the CEOs to return to the negotiation table, emphasizing that walking away or refusing to negotiate is not productive.
She later admonished the studios for walking away from talks, stating that it was not only naughty but also illegal. Drescher stressed that the union’s streaming viewership proposal has “cracked the code” on streaming compensation and that the union will not back down from the proposition anytime soon. The negotiating committee of SAG-AFTRA also released a statement, supporting Drescher’s points and emphasizing the need for fair compensation in the streaming era.
The negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP continue, with both sides holding firm on their positions. The union is determined to secure adequate compensation for its members in the evolving landscape of streaming services.
[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]