Actors Push for Fair Pay and AI Rights in Hollywood

US actors are getting ready to go on strike as discussions between SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios fail.

The actors’ trade union, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), which represents 160,000 performers, announced that it has unanimously voted to suggest going on strike.

This decision came after negotiations with Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement. A scheduled vote will take place later on Thursday.

If a strike happens, which seems very probable, and actors join the US writers on strike by standing on the picket lines, Hollywood would quickly come to a halt.

The potential consequence of the strikes could be the cancellation of the London premiere of the blockbuster movie Oppenheimer, originally scheduled to take place in Leicester Square on Thursday evening. Audiences globally would feel the worldwide impact if this cancellation occurs.

In a statement, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher criticized the studio’s response to actors’ demands, labeling it as “insulting and disrespectful.” Drescher called the actors “completely stonewalled” on certain issues.

The AMPTP, which represents companies like Netflix and Disney in negotiations, expressed their strong disappointment with SAG-AFTRA’s decision to end negotiations.

Studios are already having a hard time creating shows for streaming services and the upcoming TV lineup because of the ongoing writers’ strike.

If there is also an actors’ strike, it would cause more shutdowns, affecting both current and future productions, as well as the promotion of completed projects. Without scripts and actors to bring them to life, many studios would be unable to continue their work.