SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal To End Strike After Four Months On The Picket Lines

On Wednesday, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced its tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) after nearly four months of protesting.

“We are thrilled and proud to tell you that today your TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “As of 12:10 a.m. PT on November 9, our strike is officially suspended and all picket locations are closed. We will be in touch in the coming days with information about celebration gatherings around the country.”

“It gives SAG-AFTRA the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last 40 years; a brand new residual for streaming programs; extensive content and compensation protections in the use of artificial intelligence’ and sizeable contract increases on items across the board,” the statement said. “The AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry resuming the work of telling great stories.”

SAG-AFTRA took to the picket lines on July 14, joining the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who had been on strike since May and reached a tentative agreement on their contract on September 24.

Both guilds were fighting back against issues like low salaries and the use of AI in Hollywood. All projects that were in production were halted after the unions united, and actors have not been permitted to do interviews, walk red carpets or attend industry events for 118 days.

Celebrities like Zachary Quinto have been active on the picket lines during the strike.

Fans are now anticipating the return of many long-awaited films and television series, including the final season of Stranger Things, Disney’s live-action Moana and several Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.