Hollywood Actors Union Approves Deal to End Historic Four-Month Strike
SAG-AFTRA leaders vote overwhelmingly to approve a tentative agreement with major studios, officially ending the 118-day strike. The deal now heads to union members for a final vote starting November 14.
The SAG-AFTRA board votes to approve a tentative agreement with major Hollywood studios, officially ending the 118-day actors' strike. The union, which represents about 160,000 entertainment professionals, reaches this deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Union leaders announce the approval with an 86% majority vote, signaling that Hollywood prepares to resume film and television production within weeks.
This labor dispute centers on significant changes brought by streaming, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher emphasizes the critical need to protect performers from being marginalized or replaced by machines in a rapidly evolving industry. The agreement addresses these modern challenges after weeks of intense negotiations between the actors and major studios like Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros.
The tentative contract now moves to a final vote by the union's general membership, which begins on November 14. While the strike officially concludes on November 9, the industry only fully returns to normal operations once the membership ratifies the new contract. This resolution brings relief to countless workers and paves the way for movies and television shows to start filming again.