SAG-AFTRA Members Vote to Ratify Tentative Deal, Ending 118-Day Actors’ Strike
After a lengthy 118-day strike, members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have voted to ratify the tentative deal that brought the strike to an end. In a contest that concluded on Tuesday evening, 78.33 percent of members voted “yes” on the contract, with a turnout of 38.15 percent. With the members’ approval, the new agreement will be retroactive to June 9 and extend until June 30, 2026.
Union president Fran Drescher and national executive director Duncan Crabtree Ireland expressed their excitement about the victory for working performers, calling it the “dawning of a new era for the industry.” Drescher also emphasized the union’s power and the engagement of its members throughout the negotiation process.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represented Hollywood studios and streamers in the negotiations, congratulated SAG-AFTRA on the new contract, citing “historic gains and protections for performers.”
The new agreement, valued at over $1 billion, includes raises in minimum wage rates, establishes regulations on the use of artificial intelligence, and introduces new rules for virtual interviews and auditions. The pact also encompasses performance capture work as covered union labor for the first time.
The ratification vote followed weeks of debate among union members regarding the AI protections included in the deal. Some members believed the initial guardrails were not sufficient, while others felt they would adequately protect members for the next two and a half years.
Despite disagreements, Crabtree-Ireland emphasized the unity within SAG-AFTRA and its mission to protect and advance the cause of its members. Voting for ratification took place both online and by mail-in ballot, with Integrity Voting Systems certifying the results.
The new agreement marks a significant milestone for SAG-AFTRA and the industry, bringing an end to a work stoppage that had a significant economic impact and disrupted production of numerous films and series.