Hollywood Actors' Union Sag-Aftra Approves Contract That Ends Strike

The US actors union Sag-Aftra has officially approved its contract with Hollywood studios, putting an end to the month-long strike that began in July. The ratified agreement is a multi-year contract that includes $1 billion in compensation and benefits for actors, as well as protections against the use of artificial intelligence by studios. The contract was supported by 78% of Sag-Aftra members, with a turnout of 38%. Union president Fran Drescher expressed her satisfaction with the deal, stating that Sag-Aftra has never been more powerful. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios like Netflix and Walt Disney, mentioned that the industry can now fully recover and resume operations. The strike, which lasted 118 days, had significant implications for the entertainment industry, resulting in disruptions to major films and TV shows. Despite some concerns, the union's chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, emphasized the important gains included in the agreement. The strike, along with a previous writers' strike, is estimated to have cost the California economy over $6.5 billion. The contract ratification was welcomed by several high-profile actors, including Zac Efron, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Octavia Spencer.