The Writers’ Guild of America strike officially ended this week after months of picketing. Not long after the WGA initiated their strike, the Screen Actors’ Guild union would join them in the picket line after their own battle with the studios over AI issues and pay disputes. The historic strikes would see Hollywood grind to a halt as productions shut down and, for the films that would be released during this time, no promotional rounds would be made by any of the actors starring in the movies.
Now that the WGA and AMPTP have reached an agreement, one that would give great benefits to the writers, it was said that the similar terms that the writers’ union demanded could very well reflect what the AMPTP could offer SAG-AFTRA. Deadline reports that the actors’ union and the studios have released a joint statement that announces their talks would resume on Monday, October 2. The statement reads, “SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract on Monday, Oct. 2. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance.”
The actors’ union strike marched on for 76 days, following the WGA picketing for 148 days. The WGA finally came to an agreement with the AMPTP after a few unsuccessful attempts at negotiating terms to put an end to the strike. When news broke of an agreement being finalized, SAG-AFTRA released a statement that showed their support and celebration of WGA’s new deal. The statement read, “SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines. While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.”
The statement continued, “Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines. We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”