Last July, the actors' union started a strike in front of the television and film studios, following its demands for adequate wages and protection against artificial intelligence. After the screenwriters managed to reach agreements with the studios in September, now, after 118 days, the actors' strike has also come to an end with a new agreement between the parties.
"We are excited and proud to tell you that today your negotiation committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP (Alliance of Film and Television Producers)," was written to the actors' union, who announced that as of today the strike is suspended.
In the new contract between the actors' union and the studios, which is valued at more than a billion dollars, the parties were able to reach an agreement regarding the increase of the minimum wage, clauses that protect the actors who are members of the union against artificial intelligence, and also a bonus for participating in content uploaded by the various streaming companies. In addition, the pension and health benefits of union members will increase significantly.
In a contract valued at more than $1 billion, we have obtained a deal of extraordinary scope that includes minimal "above-the-chart" compensation increases, unprecedented consent and compensation provisions that will protect members from the threat of artificial intelligence, and for the first time provides a streaming participation bonus. Our pension and health care caps have been raised significantly, which will bring much-needed value to our programs. In addition, the deal includes numerous improvements to multiple categories, including large-scale compensation increases for background workers, and critical contract provisions that protect diverse communities.
"We reached a contract that will allow the members of the union to build a stable career," it was written, "many thousands of artists now and in the future will benefit from it." The full details of the agreement will be received by the union members only after it is approved by the guild council in the coming days.