US actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has struck a “tentative deal” with Hollywood studios to end their long-running strike.
The union has been on strike for 118 days, causing major disruption to Hollywood productions in the US and in key filmmaking hubs such as the UK.
“We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers,” the union said. “Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work.”
The tentative deal will go to the SAG-AFTRA national board on Friday “for review and consideration”, the union announced.
The union said it had agreed a deal of “extraordinary scope” in a contract “valued at over one billion dollars”, including protection from the threat of artificial intelligence and “unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation”.
The Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios and major streamers, said the tentative agreement “represents a new paradigm”.
The AMPTP said: “It gives SAG-AFTRA the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last 40 years; a brand new residual for streaming programmes; extensive consent and compensation protections in the use of artificial intelligence; and sizeable contract increases on items across the board.”
The deal was welcomed by the UK production sector which has been hard hit by the strikes.
Responding to the tentative agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, Adrian Wootton, CEO of the British Film Commission, said: “Today’s news will bring relief to cast, crews and the wider industry on both sides of the Atlantic. We’re thrilled that an equitable agreement on such a complex set of issues was achieved, and we look forward to productions in the UK restarting as soon as possible, assuming the final vote on Friday ratifies the deal. We also want to recognise that this has been an extremely challenging time for many in the UK production community, so this agreement provides a welcome end to a tough period.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Telefónica and Sony test ultra-fast 5G at Movistar Arena
Telefónica and Sony have carried out a 5G connectivity trial at Madrid’s Movistar Arena, achieving speeds of several gigabits per second by using the 26 GHz band, also known as the millimetre band or mmWave.
RTS Technology Centre launches 2026 Technology Awards
The Royal Television Society Technology Centre has launched the RTS Technology Awards 2026.
UK government to lay out plans for terrestrial TV switch off – report
The UK government is reportedly drawing up plans to switch off terrestrial TV.
Ad giant Publicis acquires US data firm LiveRamp for $2.2bn
French advertising giant Publicis Groupe is to acquire US data firm LiveRamp for $2.2bn.
New Director General Matt Brittin says BBC “must be where audiences are”
New BBC Director General Matt Brittin has described the broadcaster as a “force that brings people together” while acknowledging that it faces "very real challenges.”
