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SAG-AFTRA, AMPTP Negotiations Set to Continue This Friday: Details

After another day of talks between the union and studios/streamers, SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP will resume negotiations on Friday, October 27th.

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Article Summary

  • SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP to continue negotiations on Friday, October 27th.
  • Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's chief negotiator, is "cautiously optimistic" about the talks.
  • Discussion involves streaming bonus plans, wages for performers, and AI use among other things.
  • Key industry figures like Bob Iger, Donna Langley, David Zaslav, and Ted Sarandos are involved in the process.

Earlier today, SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland was on the picket line at Paramount when he was asked about the state of talks between the union and the AMPTP. While reaffirming that the union is "100% focused on making a fair deal at the table," Crabtree-Ireland also added that he was feeling "cautiously optimistic" heading into today's talks. What made today's meeting even more important? After taking Wednesday to further respond to the proposals that the studios & streamers presented on Tuesday, today would be the day when SAG-AFTRA would offer a response. Well, based on the "rumblings" rumbling out there, it sounds like "cautiously optimistic" might be the best way to describe today's efforts. Considering what the end result could've been, we'll take this as a win (for now). And since talking is always better than no talking, we're also glad to hear that SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP will be meeting again on Friday for another round of talks. Disney's Bob Iger, NBCUniversal's Donna Langley, Warner Bros Discovery's David Zaslav, and Netflix's Ted Sarandos are expected to continue being involved in the negotiation process.

SAG-AFTRA
Los Angeles, California – October 5, 2023: Striking Members of SAG-AFTRA and other union supporters picket outside Paramount Pictures on Melrose Ave, Los Angeles (Shutterstock.com/Walter Cicchetti)

During Tuesday's meeting, the AMPTP presented a revised take on its success-based streaming bonus plan (based on the one ratified by the WGA in its new three-year deal) – a plan meant to counter the union's proposal, which would include a fee on streaming subscribers. In addition, there was still some distance when it came to setting minimum wages for performers. The studios & streamers bumped their offer from 5% to 7% in the first year of the contract (with 11% for background performers), while the union is eyeing an 11% increase during the first year across the board. Add to that matters related to AI use, streaming residual increases, pension & health contribution cap levels, and others.

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Ray FlookAbout Ray Flook

Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017.
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