SAG-AFTRA returns to bargaining table week after writers end strike
The historic 2023 writers strike is over — and now SAG-AFTRA will resume negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (The AMPTP) for the first time since their strike began on July 14.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will meet for bargaining on Monday, Oct. 2. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance. As negotiations proceed, we will report any substantiative updates directly to you,” the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists posted on social media last week.
Actors are striking over many of the same issues as the writers, including fair pay and protection against AI.
According to the AP, SAG-AFTRA leaders said they would look closely at the gains and compromises of the WGA’s deal. But their demands won’t change from what they were when the strike started.
The 2023 Writers Guild of America strike ended Sept. 27, after a work-stoppage that lasted 148 days, bringing Hollywood grinding to a halt. The new contract was ratified on Oct. 9 by WGA members, officially bringing the strike to a close.
As writers – who went on strike in May for the first time in 15 years – fought for fair pay, health care, and protection against studios using AI, the work stoppage resulted in suspended late-night talk shows, delayed movies, halted productions on hit shows such as “Abbott Elementary” “Severance,” “Yellowjackets” and the final season of “Stranger Things.”
Additionally, broadcast networks like CBS had to fill in their gaps in programming by airing reruns and streaming shows such as “Yellowstone.”
On Sept. 27 the WGA board members approved a contract agreement with studios.
The writers still have to vote to ratify the contract (voting will be between Oct. 2 and Oct. 9) but lifting the strike allows them to return to work, the Writers Guild said in an email.
What’s in the contract?
Among other details, the contract includes a 5 percent minimum pay increase, upon the ratification of the contract, with additional bumps in 2024 and 2026 (the contract lasts through 2026).
Regarding the hotly contested matter of AI, writers were able to gain protections. Under the contract, “AI can’t write or rewrite literary material.” If a company uses a writer’s material to train AI models, the WGA can deem that to be prohibited. Companies must inform writers if material was written by AI, and writers can’t be forced by employers to use it.
Regarding streaming, writers were also fighting to make streaming numbers less opaque, so that they could know the viewership on their own shows. Streaming services will now share data with the WGA.
For shows and movies that are viewed by 20 percent of a streaming service’s subscribers within 90 days, writers will be compensated with residual bonuses.
Late-Night Talk shows
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will be the first shows to return.
However, they might have a guest shortage, since the actors are still on strike.
On Wednesday, NBC announced that “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” will both return on Monday, Oct. 2.
Colbert and Kimmel will also return on that date, according to a joint post on Instagram. “The Daily Show” will return to Comedy Central Oct. 16 (11 p.m.)
Bill Maher
Maher, 67, got slammed online when he originally announced his plan to resume his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” sans writers, amidst the strike.
“‘Real Time’ is coming back, unfortunately, sans writers or writing,” Maher wrote via X, formerly known as Twitter, on September 13.
“It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work. The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns,” he went on.
However, the WGA then threatened to picket his show. “Bill Maher’s decision to go back on the air while his Guild is on strike is disappointing,” the WGA said at the time in a statement. “Bill Maher is obligated as a WGA member to follow the strike rules and not perform any writing services.”
On Sept. 18, Maher walked back his announcement to return.
“My decision to return to work was made when it seemed nothing was happening and there was no end in sight to this strike,” he posted on social media. “Now that both sides have agreed to go back to the negotiating table I’m going to delay the return of ‘Real Time,’ for now, and hope they can finally get this done.”
“Real Time” returned on Friday, Sept. 29.
Daytime talk shows, including Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore caused controversy when she initially announced that she would resume her show on Sept. 10.
After a week of online backlash – including a revoked invitation to host the National Book awards – on Sept. 17, Barrymore announced that her plans to return were paused.
“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” wrote Barrymore, 48, on Instagram.
“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We really tried to find our way forward.”
“The Drew Barrymore Show,” “The Talk” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” are now expected to return soon.
Other unscripted daytime talk shows such as “The View” and “Live with Kelly and Mark” have aired through the strike, even though other actors have accused them of “scabbing.”
Other shows like “Stranger Things”
The fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” has resumed production. The show’s writer’s room tweeted a message on Tuesday night, simply reading, “We’re back.” Netflix still hasn’t announced a premiere date – and likely won’t until much closer to premiere. But at the very least, the writers confirmed that they’re working on it. (However, only the writers can resume work, since the actors are still on strike). The Post reached out to ABC for comment about when “Abbott Elementary” will resume.
.
