Studios Suspend Talks With SAG-AFTRA; AMPTP Says Gap Between Sides ‘Is Too Great’
Studios Say SAG-AFTRA Talks Suspended: Gap Between Parties Is "Too Great" https://t.co/j0Tk5KdRVB
- The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 12, 2023
Actors will remain on strike, for the time being. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have been suspended after over a week. The AMPTP said in a statement late on October 11 that following the guild’s most recent proposal, the sides are too far apart.
“After meaningful conversations, it is clear that the gap between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction,” the AMPTP said in a statement. “SAG-AFTRA’s current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year - which would create an untenable economic burden. SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items.”
“We hope that SAG-AFTRA will reconsider and return to productive negotiations soon,” the studios’ statement concludes.
You can read their full statement here.
It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer. We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began.
These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue YOUR work generates for them. We have made big, meaningful counters on our end, including completely transforming our revenue share proposal, which would cost the companies less than 57¢ per subscriber each year. They have rejected our proposals and refused to counter.
Instead they use bully tactics. Just tonight, they intentionally misrepresented to the press the cost of the above proposal - overstating it by 60%. They have done the same with A.I., claiming to protect performer consent, but continuing to demand “consent” on the first day of employment for use of a performer’s digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project).
The companies are using the same failed strategy they tried to inflict on the WGA - putting out misleading information in an attempt to fool our members into abandoning our solidarity and putting pressure on our negotiators. But, just like the writers, our members are smarter than that and will not be fooled.
We feel the pain these companies have inflicted on our members, our strike captains, IATSE, Teamsters and Basic Crafts union members, and everyone in this industry. We have sacrificed too much to capitulate to their stonewalling and greed. We stand united and ready to negotiate today, tomorrow, and every day.
Our resolve is unwavering. Join us on picket lines and at solidarity events around the country and let your voices be heard.
One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes.
Your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee.
🧵To Our Fellow SagAftraMembers:
It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer. (1/11) pic.twitter.com/nd2PfpDH4F
- SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) October 12, 2023
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