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The
ratification was widely expected and a walkout never seemed to
be in the cards during drama-free negotiations, but the vote
assures there will be no repeat of the 2023 actor and writer
strikes that seriously shook the entertainment industry.
More than 90% of votes from members of the Screen Actors
Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
approved of the agreement, with about 19% of eligible voters
casting ballots.
Like the Writers Guild of America, whose members approved their
own contract on April 24, the actors’ new deal is for four years
instead of the usual three, providing an extra layer of labor
stability in the industry.
Actor Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, said in a statement
that the contract “delivers meaningful gains in compensation,
strengthens protections around artificial intelligence and
digital identity, reinforces the long-term security of members’
benefit plans and recognizes the realities of how performers
work today.”
The contract says AI performers must bring “significant
additional value” over a live actor or a digital capture of them
if producers are to use them. Union leaders say this and other
provisions will keep use of AI actors minimal.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which
negotiates for a coalition of Hollywood’s major studios,
streamers and production companies, congratulated the union on
the ratification.
“SAG-AFTRA’s leadership brought a genuine commitment to
partnership, and together with the WGA agreement, these deals
demonstrate what is possible when the industry works toward
practical solutions,” the alliance said in a statement.
AMPTP negotiators have been in contract talks with the Directors
Guild of America since May 11. The negotiations are the first
under new DGA president Christopher Nolan. That contract is set
to expire June 30.
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