SAG-AFTRA Board Approves New Contract – The Hollywood Reporter

SAG-AFTRA‘s national board has approved the tentative agreement between the actors union and studios and streamers that ended the 118-day actors strike. The board voted to accept the deal with 86 percent approval, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said at a press conference Friday. Members of the 160,000-strong union will vote on ratification of the deal beginning Nov. 14, with ballots due in early December. Crabtree-Ireland and SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher gave broad outlines of the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers at the press conference, including “above pattern” increases in minimum salaries, a bonus for actors who work on successful streaming series and regulations on the use of artificial intelligence. “This victory is everyone’s victory,” Crabtree-Ireland said. “AI protections for performers mean the preservation of tens of thousands of jobs” — from set and costume designers to drivers and caterers — “as well as all of the small businesses that serve the entertainment community.” In extended remarks, Drescher recounted how the union’s leadership “deflected their intimidation tactics” and held out for key elements of the deal including the streaming bonus and AI protections. “From July 14 to Oct. 3, we never heard from the AMPTP,” Drescher
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