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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote

SAG-AFTRA approves strike

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

In a powerful show of solidarity, nearly 65,000 members of SAG-AFTRA voted 97.91% in favor of a strike authorization ahead of negotiations of the television/theatrical contracts. The authorization vote does not mean the union is calling a strike. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers begin on June 7. The strike authorization vote empowers SAG-AFTRA’s national board to initiate a strike if the AMPTP won’t reach a fair deal with the union. The current SAG-AFTRA television/theatrical contracts expire at midnight on June 30.

“The strike authorization votes have been tabulated and the membership joined their elected leadership and negotiating committee in favor of strength and solidarity. I’m proud of all of you who voted as well as those who were vocally supportive, even if unable to vote. Everyone played a part in this achievement,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Together we lock elbows and in unity we build a new contract that honors our contributions in this remarkable industry, reflects the new digital and streaming business model and brings ALL our concerns for protections and benefits into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we are in it to win it.”

“I could not be more pleased with this response from the membership. This overwhelming yes vote is a clear statement that it’s time for an evolution in this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “As we enter what may be one of the most consequential negotiations in the union’s history, inflation, dwindling residuals due to streaming and generative AI all threaten actors’ ability to earn a livelihood if our contracts are not adapted to reflect the new realities. This strike authorization means we enter our negotiations from a position of strength, so that we can deliver the deal our members want and deserve.”