SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers returned to the negotiating table on Tuesday after a day of internal talks, with the two sides expected to keep working towards a deal on Wednesday.
While talks closed early today to allow for those with families to spend Halloween with them, an insider with knowledge of the talks said that AMPTP reps and SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee members spent Tuesday in breakout groups going through finer details of the contract, including some actor-specific issues.
With more than 160,000 members, SAG-AFTRA has a wide range of performers whose interests must be addressed in their contract, from singers and dancers to stuntmen and puppeteers, among others. Negotiating terms for those specific types of performers takes time, which is why insiders told TheWrap over the weekend that while there was renewed optimism that talks are on course for a deal, there’s still several...
While talks closed early today to allow for those with families to spend Halloween with them, an insider with knowledge of the talks said that AMPTP reps and SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee members spent Tuesday in breakout groups going through finer details of the contract, including some actor-specific issues.
With more than 160,000 members, SAG-AFTRA has a wide range of performers whose interests must be addressed in their contract, from singers and dancers to stuntmen and puppeteers, among others. Negotiating terms for those specific types of performers takes time, which is why insiders told TheWrap over the weekend that while there was renewed optimism that talks are on course for a deal, there’s still several...
- 10/31/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
A large majority of Americans support the writers and actors strikes, and a plurality hold an unfavorable view of the Hollywood studios, according to a new poll by Data for Progress.
The poll found 67% support among likely voters for the strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, while just 18% oppose them.
The poll also found that 48% have an unfavorable view of the major studios, and just 31% support the studios. The survey also found that 60% of respondents subscribe to Netflix, 41% subscribe to Hulu, and 35% subscribe to Disney+.
The firm also asked strike supporters if delays in their favorite movies and TV shows would cause them to change their minds. The survey found that 86% would continue to support the strikes, while 10% would oppose them.
Data for Progress is a progressive polling firm that conducts surveys on issues including climate, education, health care and workers rights. The firm surveyed 1,124 respondents online from Aug.
The poll found 67% support among likely voters for the strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, while just 18% oppose them.
The poll also found that 48% have an unfavorable view of the major studios, and just 31% support the studios. The survey also found that 60% of respondents subscribe to Netflix, 41% subscribe to Hulu, and 35% subscribe to Disney+.
The firm also asked strike supporters if delays in their favorite movies and TV shows would cause them to change their minds. The survey found that 86% would continue to support the strikes, while 10% would oppose them.
Data for Progress is a progressive polling firm that conducts surveys on issues including climate, education, health care and workers rights. The firm surveyed 1,124 respondents online from Aug.
- 8/18/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Liz Shuler is no stranger to strikes. The president of the AFL-CIO — the U.S.’ largest labor federation, which counts unions from SAG-AFTRA to the United Mine Workers of America to the American Federation of Teachers as members — has seen her fair share, but in at least one respect she believes that the current actors’ and writers’ work stoppages are noteworthy.
“The writers and the performers are holding the line for all of us,” Shuler told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday. “Especially when it comes to the use of technology and artificial intelligence. Which not a lot of workers are fully read into, and know the impacts of that on their work that’s coming, and how we can use our collective bargaining to be a guardrail and a protection for working people.” The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, meanwhile, have made it a top priority in their current...
“The writers and the performers are holding the line for all of us,” Shuler told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday. “Especially when it comes to the use of technology and artificial intelligence. Which not a lot of workers are fully read into, and know the impacts of that on their work that’s coming, and how we can use our collective bargaining to be a guardrail and a protection for working people.” The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, meanwhile, have made it a top priority in their current...
- 7/27/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and SAG-AFTRA national board members Frances Fisher and Shari Belafonte joined hundreds of striking writers and actors on the picket line today outside the main gate of Fox Studios in Century City.
Also on hand were Yvonne Wheeler, the newly elected president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, executive secretary treasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
Stiehm, noting that this is the 87th day of the writers strike, told the sign-carrying picketers gathered in front of the studio’s huge water fountain on Pico Boulevard: “If we want something enough and think it’s really worthwhile, we may have to struggle for it. That’s how you get things of value – you fight for it.”
Chanting “On strike, shut it down, L.A. is a union town,” the peaceful and cheerful picketers carried signs that read,...
Also on hand were Yvonne Wheeler, the newly elected president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, executive secretary treasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
Stiehm, noting that this is the 87th day of the writers strike, told the sign-carrying picketers gathered in front of the studio’s huge water fountain on Pico Boulevard: “If we want something enough and think it’s really worthwhile, we may have to struggle for it. That’s how you get things of value – you fight for it.”
Chanting “On strike, shut it down, L.A. is a union town,” the peaceful and cheerful picketers carried signs that read,...
- 7/27/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler will join striking actors and writers on the picket line Thursday morning at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, she joined picketers outside Netflix offices in New York City. “When we fight together, we win together. And we won’t stop fighting until workers have a fair contract!” she tweeted the other day.
When we fight together, we win together. And we won't stop fighting until workers have a fair contract!
Thank you for joining us outside Netflix on the @sagaftra @WGAEast @WGAWest picket line, @Aoc! pic.twitter.com/YhN1YsMdwF
— Liz Shuler (@LizShuler) July 24, 2023
SAG-AFTRA noted that she’ll be joining “striking women writers, performers on picket line in Century City,” including Meredith Stiehm, president of the WGA West, and SAG-AFTRA national board members Frances Fisher and Shari Belafonte. SAG-AFTRA is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, as is the WGA East. But the WGA West is not.
When we fight together, we win together. And we won't stop fighting until workers have a fair contract!
Thank you for joining us outside Netflix on the @sagaftra @WGAEast @WGAWest picket line, @Aoc! pic.twitter.com/YhN1YsMdwF
— Liz Shuler (@LizShuler) July 24, 2023
SAG-AFTRA noted that she’ll be joining “striking women writers, performers on picket line in Century City,” including Meredith Stiehm, president of the WGA West, and SAG-AFTRA national board members Frances Fisher and Shari Belafonte. SAG-AFTRA is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, as is the WGA East. But the WGA West is not.
- 7/27/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined a New York City picket line in front of Netflix’s Union Square offices on Monday as the Writers Guild nears three months on strike and SAG-AFTRA enters its second week of a work stoppage. Both unions are protesting what they see as the rapaciousness and intransigence of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the interests of the major studios and streamers in negotiating updated labor contracts.
The high-profile progressive firebrand, known for assailing corporate ills, gave a speech to the assembled protestors, which included performers Sandra Bernhard, F. Murray Abraham and Tatiana Maslany, as well as AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. “While this is a fight against AI, more than AI this is a fight against greed,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding: “Direct action gets the goods, now and always. The only way that we can do this is by showing them that we are stronger.
The high-profile progressive firebrand, known for assailing corporate ills, gave a speech to the assembled protestors, which included performers Sandra Bernhard, F. Murray Abraham and Tatiana Maslany, as well as AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. “While this is a fight against AI, more than AI this is a fight against greed,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding: “Direct action gets the goods, now and always. The only way that we can do this is by showing them that we are stronger.
- 7/24/2023
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated with details and more quotes: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined striking writers and actors on a picket line outside the neighboring Manhattan offices of Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery on Monday morning, and caused as much of a stir as any celebrity spotted at Writers Guild of America or SAG-AFTRA demonstrations in New York City since early May.
Joined by AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler, Ocasio-Cortez (D-ny) gave strikers and their supporters a pep talk and spent about 40 minutes walking a picket line along a block of downtown Manhattan with as many as 200 other marchers. She paused for selfies, handshakes and brief hellos and accepted thanks from other picketers as reporters and photographers hovered nearby.
“Frankly, while this is a fight against AI,” she told the cheering crowd, “more than AI, this is a fight against greed. This is a fight against Wall Street, and this is a fight...
Joined by AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler, Ocasio-Cortez (D-ny) gave strikers and their supporters a pep talk and spent about 40 minutes walking a picket line along a block of downtown Manhattan with as many as 200 other marchers. She paused for selfies, handshakes and brief hellos and accepted thanks from other picketers as reporters and photographers hovered nearby.
“Frankly, while this is a fight against AI,” she told the cheering crowd, “more than AI, this is a fight against greed. This is a fight against Wall Street, and this is a fight...
- 7/24/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America picket lines in New York City on Monday, encouraging workers to keep fighting and taking aim at executives such as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and their “insatiable greed.”
“While this is a fight against AI, more than AI, this is a fight against greed,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“How many private jets does David Zaslav need? For real. How many private jets do the CEOs need? It is insatiable. It is unacceptable. I do not know how any person can say, ‘I need another $100 million before another person can have health care,’” she continued.
Speaking in front of the Netflix offices in Union Square, where picketers had included Tatiana Maslany, Sandra Bernhard and F. Murray Abraham, Ocasio-Cortez picked up a SAG-AFTRA sign, joined in on the chants (such as “New York is a union town”) and took...
“While this is a fight against AI, more than AI, this is a fight against greed,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“How many private jets does David Zaslav need? For real. How many private jets do the CEOs need? It is insatiable. It is unacceptable. I do not know how any person can say, ‘I need another $100 million before another person can have health care,’” she continued.
Speaking in front of the Netflix offices in Union Square, where picketers had included Tatiana Maslany, Sandra Bernhard and F. Murray Abraham, Ocasio-Cortez picked up a SAG-AFTRA sign, joined in on the chants (such as “New York is a union town”) and took...
- 7/24/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The head of the country’s largest labor union joined striking Writers Guild film and television writers at a rally on Monday outside the New York City offices of streaming giant Amazon and said the writers’ cause has the support of workers from across unionized labor.
“You are fighting for all of us,” Liz Shuler, president of the 12.5-million member AFL-CIO, told about 200 people in a block-long picket line facing Amazon’s East Coast headquarters in the Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development.
“Can you hear us, Jeff Bezos?” Shuler said, referencing Amazon’s CEO, from her spot on the curb in a towering glass and steel office park where Amazon’s corporate neighbors include Warner Bros Discovery, Wells Fargo and BlackRock.
Shuler shared the microphone Monday with union leaders and a state senator, Jessica Ramos from Queens, who questioned the tax breaks that Amazon receives from union-friendly New York for...
“You are fighting for all of us,” Liz Shuler, president of the 12.5-million member AFL-CIO, told about 200 people in a block-long picket line facing Amazon’s East Coast headquarters in the Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development.
“Can you hear us, Jeff Bezos?” Shuler said, referencing Amazon’s CEO, from her spot on the curb in a towering glass and steel office park where Amazon’s corporate neighbors include Warner Bros Discovery, Wells Fargo and BlackRock.
Shuler shared the microphone Monday with union leaders and a state senator, Jessica Ramos from Queens, who questioned the tax breaks that Amazon receives from union-friendly New York for...
- 6/13/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles unions rallied on Friday evening in a show of support for the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike for the last four weeks.
The unions — representing hotel workers, teachers and state employees — shared the stage across from Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. with representatives from the Hollywood guilds.
“It’s going to be a hot labor summer,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director of SAG-AFTRA. “Your fight is our fight. Our fight is your fight. We are all in this together.”
SAG-AFTRA has called a strike authorization vote as it looks to gain leverage for its negotiations, which begin on June 7. The SAG-AFTRA contract expires on June 30.
Many actors and performers have also joined the writers in a show of support on the picket lines.
Meredith Stiehm, the president of WGA West, said the solidarity has “really buoyed us.”
“It could be a long summer,...
The unions — representing hotel workers, teachers and state employees — shared the stage across from Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. with representatives from the Hollywood guilds.
“It’s going to be a hot labor summer,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director of SAG-AFTRA. “Your fight is our fight. Our fight is your fight. We are all in this together.”
SAG-AFTRA has called a strike authorization vote as it looks to gain leverage for its negotiations, which begin on June 7. The SAG-AFTRA contract expires on June 30.
Many actors and performers have also joined the writers in a show of support on the picket lines.
Meredith Stiehm, the president of WGA West, said the solidarity has “really buoyed us.”
“It could be a long summer,...
- 5/27/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA is celebrating the upcoming Labor Day weekend with a podcast featuring Liz Shuler, president of the 12.5 million-member AFL-CIO, which represents 57 affiliated unions, including SAG-AFTRA, and workers in every Zip code in the country.
According to Shuler, the future of organized labor is bright.
“We are stronger together,” Shuler said on the podcast. “By being an affiliate union of the AFL-CIO, it brings the full breadth and scope and power of 12.5 million working people to each other’s fights. And SAG-AFTRA is on the front lines of so much. A lot of people think, ‘Oh, well, SAG-AFTRA, are they really workers?’ Well, of course, because you work in an industry like Hollywood, or you are someone in broadcast, you absolutely have the same issues that working people in other professions have: safety and health concerns, discrimination and harassment concerns, and making sure you’re being paid equitably for your work.
According to Shuler, the future of organized labor is bright.
“We are stronger together,” Shuler said on the podcast. “By being an affiliate union of the AFL-CIO, it brings the full breadth and scope and power of 12.5 million working people to each other’s fights. And SAG-AFTRA is on the front lines of so much. A lot of people think, ‘Oh, well, SAG-AFTRA, are they really workers?’ Well, of course, because you work in an industry like Hollywood, or you are someone in broadcast, you absolutely have the same issues that working people in other professions have: safety and health concerns, discrimination and harassment concerns, and making sure you’re being paid equitably for your work.
- 9/3/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Ben Whitehair, a staunch supporter of SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, has been elected executive vice president of the union at its fifth biennial convention. He succeeds Rebecca Damon in the post, which is the union’s second-highest elected position.
Whitehair, whose credits include Better Call Saul and Z Nation, was one of the leaders of the union’s “Unite for Strength” ruling party that helped get Drescher elected president.
Drescher supporters from Unite for Strength and its Usan and UnionStrong affiliates swept the seven other vice presidential elections, assuring that the ruling party will remain in power for another two years, even though in the national elections last August, members voted for a split ticket, electing Drescher president, and Joely Fisher, a leader of the MembershipFirst opposition party, as national secretary-treasurer.
In today’s VP races, Michelle Hurd was elected to represent Los Angeles; Ezra Knight was elected to represent...
Whitehair, whose credits include Better Call Saul and Z Nation, was one of the leaders of the union’s “Unite for Strength” ruling party that helped get Drescher elected president.
Drescher supporters from Unite for Strength and its Usan and UnionStrong affiliates swept the seven other vice presidential elections, assuring that the ruling party will remain in power for another two years, even though in the national elections last August, members voted for a split ticket, electing Drescher president, and Joely Fisher, a leader of the MembershipFirst opposition party, as national secretary-treasurer.
In today’s VP races, Michelle Hurd was elected to represent Los Angeles; Ezra Knight was elected to represent...
- 10/16/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
IATSE isn’t working alone when it comes to pressing for better labor conditions.
As Hollywood waits to see whether the union that represents thousands of technicians and craftspeople will go on strike as part of an effort to improve on-set working conditions, the rest of the country has already seen similar maneuvers from workers in a broad range of industries.
Approximately 10,000 workers at Deere & Co, the large agricultural products manufacturer, went on strike Thursday in a bid to win better wages and incentives, even after their union, the United Automobile Workers, had struck a new contract proposal with the company. More than 1,000 employees went on strike last week at Kellogg, the large cereal and food manufacturer. Mondelez International, which makes Nabisco products, had to grapple with a work stoppage this past summer. And the nation’s eye turned earlier this year to an Amazon warehouse in Alabama, where the...
As Hollywood waits to see whether the union that represents thousands of technicians and craftspeople will go on strike as part of an effort to improve on-set working conditions, the rest of the country has already seen similar maneuvers from workers in a broad range of industries.
Approximately 10,000 workers at Deere & Co, the large agricultural products manufacturer, went on strike Thursday in a bid to win better wages and incentives, even after their union, the United Automobile Workers, had struck a new contract proposal with the company. More than 1,000 employees went on strike last week at Kellogg, the large cereal and food manufacturer. Mondelez International, which makes Nabisco products, had to grapple with a work stoppage this past summer. And the nation’s eye turned earlier this year to an Amazon warehouse in Alabama, where the...
- 10/14/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA will hold its biennial convention this weekend, where delegates will help map out the union’s priorities for the coming years.
The virtual convention begins Saturday with the election of the union’s second-ranking officer – executive vice president – and seven other vice presidents representing SAG-AFTRA’s various regions, locals and job categories.
On the opening day, delegates from the union’s 25 locals also will hear from AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and vote on amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution and a slew of resolutions. Later that evening, the union will present its George Heller Memorial Award to members or staff who have provided exceptional service to the union throughout the years.
On Sunday, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland will give a report on the state of the union, and more resolutions will be considered. In the evening, at a special ceremony hosted by SAG-AFTRA members Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Jeong,...
The virtual convention begins Saturday with the election of the union’s second-ranking officer – executive vice president – and seven other vice presidents representing SAG-AFTRA’s various regions, locals and job categories.
On the opening day, delegates from the union’s 25 locals also will hear from AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and vote on amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution and a slew of resolutions. Later that evening, the union will present its George Heller Memorial Award to members or staff who have provided exceptional service to the union throughout the years.
On Sunday, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland will give a report on the state of the union, and more resolutions will be considered. In the evening, at a special ceremony hosted by SAG-AFTRA members Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Jeong,...
- 10/13/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Negotiations to prevent a strike that could bring the film and television production business to its knees are going down to the wire.
Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said early Wednesday that unless an agreement is reached, 60,000 union members will begin a nationwide strike against the major studios on Oct. 18 at 12:01 a.m. Such a work stoppage would be catastrophic, halting production across the U.S.
Union members are demanding better hours and working conditions, saying that the surge in production over the past decade has led to long hours and dangerous situations on set.
Loeb said the union will continue bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers this week in the hopes of reaching an agreement that addresses core issues. The unions are seeking a 10-hour turnaround between shifts for all workers, as well as a 54-hour turnaround on weekends.
Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said early Wednesday that unless an agreement is reached, 60,000 union members will begin a nationwide strike against the major studios on Oct. 18 at 12:01 a.m. Such a work stoppage would be catastrophic, halting production across the U.S.
Union members are demanding better hours and working conditions, saying that the surge in production over the past decade has led to long hours and dangerous situations on set.
Loeb said the union will continue bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers this week in the hopes of reaching an agreement that addresses core issues. The unions are seeking a 10-hour turnaround between shifts for all workers, as well as a 54-hour turnaround on weekends.
- 10/13/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
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