It has now been one hundred days of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Although the writers have resumed their duties and development on movies and TV shows have continued, productions and promotions for film and TV remain at a standstill. It has been weeks since the actors’ union and the studios have attempted to reach a deal similar to the Writers’ Guild and finally get back to business. However, talks have taken a break after SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has been outspoken on the “bully tactics” the studios have been using and refused to entertain their demands.
Deadline now reports that both SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP are ready to start the negotiation process again. A statement issued by both camps says, “SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will meet for bargaining on Tuesday, October 24 at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance.” Those representing the studios include Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley. Their personal presence at the resuming talks mirrors the final days of the writers’ strike prior to a resolution. Iger, Zaslav, Sarandos and Langley have been involved in the recent weeks’ attempt to close in on a deal. It is even said that the executives have extended an olive branch in having the talks continue.
SAG-AFTRA confirmed the restart of negotiations in a social media post, stating, “Dear Fellow #SagAftraMembers: As we mark the 100th day of our strike, we are pleased to confirm the company executives have asked us to return to the table. Official Negotiations will resume on Tuesday, October 24th.” SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland has expressed his optimism in these new round of talks, “I did not expect [negotiations] would have to go so long…The amount of time spent without negotiating has been completely unconscionable. The studios and streamers ought to be back at the table with us now. They should have been there the first 80 days but they weren’t. I am very eager to see that happen and I believe it will happen soon. I think there’s a lot of pressure happening outside of formal channels to get people back to the table, so I’m optimistic that that will happen sometime soon. But I know that we’re just going to stand strong and get a fair deal.”