Hollywood strike: SAG-AFTRA to resume studio negotiations on Wednesday
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) temporarily called off the strike with the studios last month. On the other hand, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), is still in negotiations with the producers. While the Monday negotiations between the actors' body and studios bore no fruit, SAG-AFTRA will walk into its 90th day of strike on Tuesday.
Why does this story matter?
The negotiation talks with SAG-AFTRA are being held by the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) which is representing the studios and streamers. SAG-AFTRA began an indefinite strike on July 14, joining their writing counterparts (WGA) and bringing Hollywood to a standstill. Following this, the first meeting between the two bodies was held early this month, on October 2.
Negotiations to resume on Wednesday
The Monday meeting between the two bodies coincided with the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday. Though there was no picketing by SAG-AFTRA on Monday, the guild is expected to return to negotiations on Wednesday. Issuing a joint statement, the parties said, "SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP held negotiations and have concluded for the day," adding that SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP will work individually on Tuesday.
Negotiations are being held on alternate days
The renewed bargaining between studios and the actors' guild began a week ago and is being held on a one-day-on and one-day-off method. Quoting a source who is in the knowhow of the negotiations, a Deadline report said, "It's a process, we're working through the process." The report also claimed that intense negotiations were held, including a discussion on the revenue-sharing proposal by SAG-AFTRA.
Those who attended Monday's negotiations
After a weekend break, those from AMPTP who came to the bargaining table included David Zaslav from Warner Bros. Discovery, Ted Sarandos from Netflix, Donna Langley from NBCUniversal, Bob Iger from Disney, and Carol Lombardini, AMPTP's president. The guild has been on strike for about three months now. Member actors aren't allowed to prompt any show/movie in any aspect till talks are concluded.
