Only months after the 100-day writers’ strike was settled this past February (see Writers’ Strike Ends), a potential actors’ strike threatens to bring a halt to film and television production yet again. The contract between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expires June 30, following weeks of unproductive negotiations. This scenario includes additional real life drama in that many notable actors are choosing one of two trade unions and their respective platforms to ally with in resolving this matter.
The 70,000-member AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) includes stars such as Tom Hanks while SAG, with 120,000 members, is supported by Jack Nicholson and others. It is estimated that 44,000 belong to both SAG and AFTRA.
The two unions are in a dispute over contract negotiations with the owners of the major film and television studios. AFTRA has negotiated a deal and is asking members to endorse the agreement next week. However, SAG is advising AFTRA members to reject the package.
This all went public last week following the publication of newspaper advertisements placed by these organizations, criticizing the positions of the other.
George Clooney has fashioned a peacemaker role for himself, in releasing a letter urging the two unions to settle their differences, and to avoid pitting “artist against artist”. He closed noting that “the one thing you can be sure of is that stories about Jack Nicholson versus Tom Hanks only strengthens the negotiating power of the major studios.”
This situation has created what is now being called a “virtual strike,” with some productions put on hold in order to mitigate significant disruptions should this not be resolved shortly.
Obviously, this situation does not bode well for entertainment industry workers, given the lost work and income from the prior strike and the struggling economy at large. The impact on those who enjoy film and television is that new Fall television programs may be delayed, while others may be canceled altogether as audiences may lose interest with shows that may be challenged/struggling otherwise. Consequences with film are obviously different and not as readily apparent in the short term.
Jason De Bord