SAG-AFTRA members begin day two of strike
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Striking actors are on the picket line again Monday in Los Angeles.
The strike began late Thursday night after SAG-AFTRA, which represents more than 160,000 screen performers, and the trade association representing the industry's top studios failed to reach a deal on a new contract.
This is the first time SAG-AFTRA has walked off the job since 1980. Many high profile movies and television shows are now on hold as the strike carries on.
Along with pay and benefits, there are other big issues at stake, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry and streaming compensation.
"There's a lot of important issues on the table, but the key ones that we've obviously talked about are: There needs to be increases to minimum salaries so that our members can have their earnings keep up with inflation and not fall behind. It's not fair for any one to make less than 2023, or even 2026, than they made back in 2020. Also, we're fighting for protection against artificial intelligence and the abuse of our members and companies seeking to control their image and likeness and be able to use it in the future without their consent, without fair compensation. And of course, the industry has changed completely with the advent of streaming, and we want the companies to share just a little piece of the success and revenue they generate in streaming all of which comes from the images the voices the faces of our members. and also the creative talents of the writers who are out here on picket as well as directors and others in the industry," said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator for SAG-AFTRA.
"Unfortunately, that's the way it is...That's the rules and regulations of a strong strike. There's no Comic Con, there's no nothing. There's no Venice Film Festival. There's no nothing. Let's shut it down," said Michael Rapaport, a member of SAG-AFTRA.
