The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was a pivotal moment in the entertainment industry, forming part of what media referred to as the "Hollywood double strike" alongside the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. This period of labor unrest began on May 2, 2023, and saw actors advocating for significant changes in their contracts. The journey to resolution involved numerous negotiation sessions, internal union discussions, and a focus on critical issues such
as economic fairness, residuals, and the regulation of artificial intelligence.
Early Stages and Negotiation Extensions
Weeks after the WGA strike began in May 2023, SAG-AFTRA's national board of directors unanimously approved pursuing a strike authorization vote. This came as their existing contract, approved in 2020, was set to expire on June 30, 2023. The union clarified that while they sought strike authorization, it was primarily a tool to gain "maximum bargaining leverage" ahead of negotiations scheduled for June 7, 2023. Key issues cited by SAG-AFTRA included economic fairness, residuals from streaming services, regulating AI use, and addressing the burdens of self-taping.
High-profile members, including Quinta Brunson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rami Malek, publicly expressed their willingness to strike for a "transformative deal." Despite what were initially described as "extremely productive" negotiations, SAG-AFTRA agreed to extend talks until midnight on July 13, 2023, in an attempt to avert a strike. However, these negotiations ultimately broke down in July 2023. On July 5, SAG-AFTRA surveyed its members regarding a strike, and by July 7, preparations for picket signs were underway, signaling the increasing likelihood of a work stoppage.
Intensified Negotiations and the Final Push
After the WGA and AMPTP reached a tentative agreement on September 24, leading to the end of the WGA strike on September 27, SAG-AFTRA announced its intention to remain on strike and called for renewed negotiations with the AMPTP. A joint announcement on September 27 confirmed that SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP would resume negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract on Monday, October 2. These discussions continued, with meetings taking place from October 2 to October 11, and then resuming on October 24.
As November began, negotiations intensified. Meetings were held from November 1 to November 3. On November 4, SAG-AFTRA's lead negotiators received what the AMPTP termed their "Last, Best, and Final Offer." The union's negotiating team spent days reviewing and discussing this proposal, noting on November 6 that several essential items, particularly AI, remained points of disagreement. Despite these challenges, talks continued, with a "guild source" indicating on November 7 that the parties were "very close" to a deal. Finally, on November 8, 2023, a tentative agreement was reached, and the strike was officially suspended at 12:01 a.m. on November 9, bringing an end to the prolonged labor dispute.
