Hollywood Actors Strike Ends With a Deal That Will Impact AI and Streaming for Decades
WiredNov 02, 2023
Hollywood Actors Union Approves New 3-Year Contract
Image copyright: Mario Tama/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Nov. 10, 2023)
The Facts
The longest strike against Hollywood studios came to an end on Tuesday night when members of the SAG-AFTRA actors union voted to accept the conditions of a new three-year contract.
According to SAG-AFTRA, 78% of voters approved the agreement with Walt Disney Co., Netflix Inc., and other Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) members. Only 38% of eligible members cast a ballot; SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160K actors and other media professionals.
The Spin
Narrative A
The union announced victory in one of the most fierce labor disputes in Hollywood history, with the majority of voting SAG-AFTRA members backing the agreement. Along with the first-ever restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking, the actors' union received the wage increases and streaming incentives they demanded. Negotiations for new contracts by other Hollywood unions, beginning next year, will benefit from the actor's hard-fought wins.
Narrative B
Tuesday's vote by union members to ratify the new agreement was applauded by the Hollywood Studios. The 118-day strike by the actors is officially over with the signing of the new contract. Everyone wanted to put a stop to this nasty and ill-conceived dispute — especially the entertainment industry. With this agreement, Holywood can now finally resume work with full force.