SAG-AFTRA unveils complete contract terms ahead of ratification vote deadline

SAG-AFTRA has made public the comprehensive 128-page contract that concluded the actors' strike on November 8. Union leaders are strongly encouraging members to vote in favor of the deal before the ratification deadline on December 5.

Union Leaders Push for Approval

This significant agreement, reached after a strenuous 118-day strike—the longest in the union's history and the first since the era of Jimmy Carter in the White House—was skillfully negotiated by SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. Widely hailed as groundbreaking, the deal has garnered praise for its resolution to the protracted dispute.

Also Read: Diddy confronts third sexual assault lawsuit amid denials of allegations 

However, discussions on generative artificial intelligence within the contract have sparked disagreement, as certain prominent members express their intent to vote against it. Their contention is that the long-term AI protections fall short in safeguarding jobs, according to their perspective.

Facing Opposition

Nevertheless, despite the challenges posed by the extensive strike, which coincided in part with the 148-day Writers Guild of America walkout, the likelihood of a majority of SAG-AFTRA members rejecting the contract appears slim. Fran Drescher has consistently emphasized the substantial financial and workplace advancements secured through extensive negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Highlighting the achievements, Drescher states, "These contracts deliver over $1 billion in NEW compensation and benefit plan funding (including an additional $317.2 million to the benefit plans). They establish comprehensive AI guardrails that were previously nonexistent and provide protection as we confront the challenges of this new technology."

Pending approval, the 2023 Memorandum of Agreement is slated to be effective from Nov. 9, 2023, through June 30, 2026. Members have until 5 p.m. PT on Dec. 5 to cast their votes either via postcard or online.

Also Read: Brie Larson reflects on bringing a love story to life in Lessons in Chemistry