Thousands of high-profile actors have made it clear that they are willing to continue their strike rather than accept a bad deal. In a public letter addressed to the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee, actors including Sarah Paulson, Chelsea Handler, Christian Slater, Sandra Oh, Daveed Diggs, Pedro Pascal, and Kal Penn expressed their determination to stay on strike. The letter opens by acknowledging that even before the strike began in June, there was a large group of members who signed an open letter stating they would prefer to strike rather than accept an unfavorable agreement. Over 100 days into the strike, that sentiment remains unchanged. The actors emphasize that they have come too far and sacrificed too much to give up on their fight for a fair contract.
The letter goes on to say that the actors refuse to accept a contract that fails to address the key and essential issues that need to be resolved. The signatories, which also include Carrie Anne Moss, Christine Baranski, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kristin Chenoweth, Leslie Odom Jr., Lizzy Caplan, Richard Schiff, Simon Pegg, Timothy Olyphant, Zachary Quinto, Titus Welliver, Simon Helberg, Jon Hamm, Rosanna Arquette, Pamela Adlon, Noah Wyle, Maya Hawke, Margaret Cho, Lena Dunham, Kim Raver, Joshua Jackson, Helen Hunt, David Harewood, and Carrie Coon, stress that they are committed to standing in solidarity and are prepared to strike for as long as necessary to achieve a contract that meets their demands.
In a separate development, a group of actors including George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Kerry Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Laura Dern, Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds, and Ariana DeBose made their own offer to help end the strike.
However, there may be some hope for progress in the negotiations. SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have agreed to meet again on Friday, with sources expressing cautious optimism about the talks.
The full letter, which can be found with all the signatories listed, emphasizes the ongoing determination of the majority of union members to withstand the hardship of the strike in order to secure a contract that encompasses their needs. It highlights the collective power and unity of the union members and places their trust and support in the union leaders currently negotiating with the companies.
The letter concludes with the powerful statement, “One day longer. One day stronger. For as long as it takes.” The actors sign off “In Solidarity,” reaffirming their commitment to each other and the cause they are fighting for.