SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of A Union Strike Extends
Actors and script writers are facing a challenge of under payment and over working crisis. They have been battling against studios contracts and unfair payment since July of this year 2023. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), represent about 160,000 Hollywood actors. They officially went on strike after failing to reach a deal with Hollywood’s biggest studios.
In fact, the union of 160,000 members joined the 11,000 Writers Guild of America colleagues who have been striking since May of this year. It was predicted to be over and resolved towards the beginning of September.
However, it is now predicted to be continued and extended until the end of 2023. This strike is definitely affecting actors and writers and because of this strike, production is now being abruptly reduced and stopped. Which this filming production stop will actually cost up to $500 million this year, according to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Why Are They On Strike?
One of the main reasons why actors and writers went on strike is because of inflation and low wage. The studios are the main source from whom they are striking against for justice, and they include:
- Apple.
- Amazon.
- Netflix.
- NBCUniversal.
- Sony and Paramount (the parent company of CBS news).
These studios or streaming platforms are not cooperating with increasing their salaries, and since inflation is a constant problem, well they are not comfortable with the same amount of pay. Especially, since their salary is not being sustainable to live in Los Angeles, California, and other expensive cities. In fact, these studios have ignored and refused to negotiate pay raises for their actors/performers. An increased income is a factor that they fighting for. And for there to be justice in this area of their job.
On the other side another problem that they are facing is the artificial intelligence. They want secure protection against AI because there is the possibility of AI replacing background actors and perhaps even them. They are also not okay with this because studios want to make profit out of their image using artificial intelligence and expect for actors to not have problems with that. Which was also another problem that they are advocating for because it is definitely not okay for studios to make profit out of them neither to replace the backgrounds actors.
Companies Are Refusing To Negotiate
Unfortunately, everyone involved in this strike is being affected in many different ways. Some may also be affected in ways that might be considered extreme. For instance, the actor Billy Porter has had to sell his house because he mentioned that he does not know how long they will be on strike.
On the other hand, even Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger is being harshly criticized because he has called the actors and writers demands “unrealistic.” The statements that Iger made of what actors and writers are asking for being unrealistic, really surprised Porter because he mentioned, “To hear Bob Iger say that our demands for a living wage are unrealistic? While he makes $78,000 a day?”
This statements demonstrates that Porter sees the reality of inequality and is in disbelief that people in higher power, from his perspective, are of course going to think that they are being irrational with what they’re asking for. This is a strike that is for sure going to be a battle for a long time and that definitely deserves justice.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
The Guardian: “You’ve starved me out”: Billy Porter says he’s lost his house to actors’ strike
CNN BUSINESS: Warner Bros. Discovery says actors and writers strikes will cost it up to $500 million this year
CNN BUSINESS: Why celebrities are striking: The average pay for actors may surprise you
CBS NEWS: Why are Hollywood actors on strike?
Featured Image Courtesy of Shinya Suzuki Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Eden, Janine and Jim Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
