SAG-AFTRA Secures Historic Deal
A Paradigm Shift in the Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry is on the brink of a seismic transformation as the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announces the approval of a groundbreaking tentative agreement for the 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts. The alliance with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), reached on November 8, 2023, has been given the green light by the SAG-AFTRA National Board in a video conference plenary.
Unprecedented Industry Shifts
The board’s resounding 86% approval sets the stage for a paradigm shift in the entertainment landscape. This historic deal, valued at over $1 billion in new wages and benefit plan funding, reshapes compensation structures and introduces profound protections against the encroachment of AI technology, making it the most progressive in industry history.
Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President, expressed her confidence in redefining the union as the most powerful in the world. “This is a paradigm shift of seismic proportions!” she declared, emphasizing the monumental nature of the deal.
AI Protections and Compensation Overhaul
Key among the achievements is the incorporation of robust protections around the use of artificial intelligence. The deal ensures informed consent and compensation for the creation and use of digital replicas of members, living and deceased. This move marks a historic step in safeguarding actors against the evolving landscape of technology.
Compensation Revolution
The agreement introduces an unprecedented wage pattern, deviating from the so-called “industry pattern.” Two substantial wage increases in the first year, a 7% boost upon ratification and an additional 4% effective July 2024, culminate in a compounded first-year increase of 11.28%. A further 3.5% increase is slated for July 2025.
Background actors witness an 11% wage increase from November 12, 2023, followed by an additional 4% in July 2024 and 3.5% in July 2025. This groundbreaking move also equalizes the number of covered positions in West Coast Zones with their East Coast counterparts, anticipating nearly 11,000 new covered background work days annually.
Landscape for Streaming and Residuals
The agreement introduces a new compensation stream for performers in streaming, enhancing sustainability with a substantial bonus on top of existing residuals structures. The deal supports a wider range of actors contributing to the success of streaming platforms through a jointly-trusteed distribution fund.
Holistic Industry Gains
Beyond compensation, the agreement addresses various industry challenges. Significant strides are made in hair and makeup equity, diversity reporting, eliminating inappropriate practices, gender-neutral language, gender-affirming care access, and translation services. The contract also reinforces sexual harassment prevention measures, incorporating the use of intimacy coordinators and additional safeguards for background performers.
Member Voting and Next Steps
Eligible SAG-AFTRA members will have the final say in ratifying the proposed agreements. A national member informational meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13, and the online vote will be conducted until Tuesday, December 5, with traditional paper ballots available upon request. The union anticipates the ratified contracts to be effective through June 30, 2026.
The SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP’s collaborative efforts have not only shattered industry norms but also set a new standard for protecting performers in an era of technological advancements. As the entertainment landscape evolves, this historic agreement ensures that the industry’s backbone — its talented actors — continue to thrive, supported by fair compensation, cutting-edge AI protections, and a commitment to inclusivity and equality.
