Title: A-Listers’ Proposal Rejected as SAG-AFTRA Strike Continues
Subtitle: George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, and other A-list actors seek to end the 98-day actors strike
Date: [Today’s Date]
In an attempt to find a resolution to the ongoing 98-day actors strike, George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, and a group of other A-listers presented a proposal to the SAG-AFTRA leadership on Tuesday. However, their proposal was met with rejection on Wednesday by the union’s negotiating committee, which remains committed to their demands expressed throughout weeks of negotiations.
The proposal put forth by the A-list actors comprised two main elements: a dues increase on high-earning actors and a change in residuals to prioritize payments for low-earning actors. Under the existing rules, SAG-AFTRA members pay $231.96 in base dues annually, along with 1.575% of covered earnings up to $1 million. The proposed elimination of the cap would subject all covered actor earnings to the 1.575% assessment, estimated to generate $50 million a year, according to Clooney. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike is primarily focused on increasing actors’ income rather than boosting union funding, making the proposed increase in dues irrelevant to the ongoing dispute.
Moreover, the negotiation process does not include dues, as they are set by the SAG-AFTRA National Board, requiring a separate process to implement any changes. Additionally, despite the proposal’s intention to aid the union’s financial situation, SAG-AFTRA reported a significant increase in revenue, receiving $127 million in the last fiscal year as production bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.
Furthermore, the A-listers’ proposal suggested a “bottom-up” residual structure, where the lowest-earning actors would be paid first before higher earners received residuals. However, this proposition seemed to confuse residuals with profit participation. Residuals are paid out simultaneously to all entitled recipients, regardless of their position in what is described as a “waterfall” system for profit distribution among A-list actors. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher clarified these misunderstandings, highlighting that the proposal lacked credibility and undermined the union’s negotiation position.
Consequently, neither of the proposals put forward by the A-list actors adequately addressed the underlying issues fueling the strike. These issues include the union’s proposal for actors to receive a share of streaming revenue, an increase in minimums to match inflation, and regulations surrounding artificial intelligence. While the A-listers’ proposals demonstrate a genuine desire to resolve the strike, they may inadvertently weaken the unity necessary to strike the best possible deal with the studios. Additionally, their proposals suggest that high-earning actors should shoulder expenses previously refused by the studios, potentially lessening the pressure on the studios to meet demands.
As the strike persists, the question arises of how A-list actors can contribute to reaching a resolution. One source close to the negotiations suggests that they join the picket lines, demonstrating solidarity with their fellow actors fighting for fair terms.
The actors strike continues to impact the industry, raising concerns about the future of film and television production. All parties involved hope for constructive dialogue and a mutually satisfactory resolution to end the strike and restore harmony within the entertainment industry.