Who's On Strike Now? - October 2024 Edition
*To look up unfamiliar terms, check out our Hollywood Glossary.
By Natalie Lifson, Agent Trainee at Buchwald and your co-Editor-in-Chief at THA
Image from SAG-AFTRA
Who’s on Strike Now?
Last month, we reported on one strike (SAG-AFTRA x Video Game Companies) and one negotiation (The Animation Guild x The AMPTP), both of which are still ongoing.
This September, another union negotiated and ultimately reached an agreement with the AMPTP: Casting Professionals (Teamsters Locals 399 and 817), which includes casting directors, casting associates, and (as of August 2024) assistants.
If you’re unfamiliar with any terms we mention, see our Hollywood Glossary.
Read on for more information on this month’s major union strikes and negotiations:
SAG-AFTRA x Video Game Companies - Currently On Strike
In August and September we reported on SAG-AFTRA’s strike against 10 major video companies after failed attempts to renegotiate their Interactive Media Agreement.
There have been no new updates since September 4th, when SAG-AFTRA issued interim agreements to 80 individual games who have agreed to meet their demands.
The SAG-AFTRA priorities that video game companies are not willing to compromise on remain:
Compensation undercut by inflation
Unregulated use of AI and safety
Crabtree-Ireland released a statement saying, “The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies.”
The last time SAG-AFTRA went on strike against video companies in 2016-17, it lasted 183 days.
Timeline:
November 2022: The Interactive Media Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies expired. Since then, it has been extended multiple times to allow for continued negotiations. -Deadline
September 25, 2023: SAG-AFTRA Members Vote Overwhelmingly To Authorize Strike Against Video Game Industry -Deadline
August 27: SAG-AFTRA Wins Passage of California Bill to Limit AI Replicas -THR
September 4: SAG-AFTRA Says 80 Video Games Signed to Deals During Strike Against Major Studios -THR
September 7: Video Game Strike Solidarity at the 2024 NYC Labor Day Parade: Striking video game performers and other supporters from SAG-AFTRA joined the New York City Central Labor Council Labor Day Parade and March. -SAG-AFTRA
Animation Guild x AMPTP - in negotiations: Deadline Extended to November 1st
Last month, we reported that in August, the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 80), which represents more than 5,000 animation workers, began negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Although they made progress in September negotiations, both sides ultimately decided they needed more time to negotiate and agreed to extend their Master Agreement through November 1st.
According to an Animation Guild memo released on September 20th, “the top priorities discussed included:
Artificial Intelligence: Addressing the rapidly evolving use of Generative AI technology and the need for protections that safeguard workers’ jobs.
Job Insecurity and Subcontracting: Ensuring stable employment opportunities across the industry.
Craft-Specific Issues: Proposals aimed at improving working conditions for CG artists, storyboard artists, writers, and designers.
Streaming Sideletter: Updating outdated streaming agreements so animation workers can receive fair compensation for their contributions.
Financial Considerations: Wage increases and contributions to the Motion Picture Health and Pension Fund that impact the financial wellbeing of animation workers.”
Guild President Jeanette Moreno King released a statement saying, “As we continue these negotiations, it's crucial that we keep our focus on what matters most: protecting the livelihoods of our members and ensuring the animation industry thrives. By addressing these priorities—such as job security, fair wages, and the responsible use of AI—we are not only standing up for our present needs but also safeguarding the future of animation for generations to come.”
The Timeline:
January 2024: The Animation Guild “partnered with CAA and CVI Economics earlier this year to conduct a gen AI impact study, which found that the tech could potentially disrupt 29% of animation jobs.” -Animation Magazine
July 30: With less than two weeks to go until negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) begin on August 12, The Animation Guild (TAG) has issued a statement highlighting key issues impacting its members. The labor org points out that despite the contributions of animation workers to keeping the entertainment industry afloat during COVID-19 shut-downs, they continue to face threats to sustainable employment. -Animation Magazine
August 10: Animation Guild Fires Up Members at Pre-Negotiations Rally: “We’re Going to Win Our Industry Back” -THR
“The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) organized the event before it heads into bargaining over a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that will tackle hot-button issues like AI and outsourcing.”
August 12: Negotiations begin.
August 15: As AI Encroaches on Hollywood, Animators Say This Is An Existential Moment -THR
“As the 5,000-strong Animation Guild starts negotiations with studios, outsourcing jobs and AI are the major points of contention.”
August 16: The Animation Guild and Studios Do Not Reach an Agreement, Add Negotiating Dates in September -THR
“The union, which has prioritized tackling AI and outsourcing in talks with Hollywood companies, previously set a Friday deadline to conclude talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.”
September 12: “Days away from the resumption of contract negotiations that will help determine how animation firms can use generative artificial intelligence in the next few years, the Animation Guild has released a report detailing the threat that the technology poses to its members: Critical Crossroads: The Impact of Generative AI and the Importance of Protecting the Animation Workforce.” -THR, 9/12
September 20: The Animation Guild and AMPTP extend their agreement through November 1st, 2024 to give them more time to negotiate. -TAG
Casting Professionals x AMPTP - Reached Agreement, 10/2
This September, Casting Professionals (Teamsters Locals 399 and 817) have been negotiating with the AMPTP to renew their 3 year contract, which expired September 30th.
The union includes casting directors, casting associates, and assistants.
Notably, Casting Assistants are a more recent addition to the union, having unanimously voted to unionize with Locals 399 and 817 in a National Labor Relations Board vote less than 2 months ago in August.
The union’s main priority (among others) is the addition of minimum wage rates, which have been left off previous contracts. Their exclusion has led to freelancers negotiating their own rates for years.
According to negotiating committee member Sherry Thomas, “There has been such a decline and a decrease in casting director salaries and the way that we have been paid. Some casting directors are making less than what they were in the late ’80s and the early ’90s.”
Timeline:
August 30: “The Teamsters Locals 399 and 817 have finished a week of scheduled negotiations with the studios on a new casting agreement — but there’s no deal yet. The union announced in a statement on Friday evening that “it’s clear that the AMPTP will need more time to respect and compensate Los Angeles and New York Casting Professionals fairly.”” -Deadline
September 16: “Two additional days of bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have been scheduled for September 23 and 24.” -Deadline
September 25: “Teamsters Say Casting Deal Is Still In Limbo As Union Remains “Far Apart” From AMPTP On Compensation.” -Deadline
September 27: “The Teamsters have a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a new casting agreement. The agreement will now go before all Los Angeles and New York casting directors, associate casting directors and casting assistants next week for ratification.” -Deadline
October 2: ”Teamsters Locals 399 and 817 have ratified a new three-year casting agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The deal received a 91.85% approval vote with an 83% voter turnout. The agreement covers New York and Los Angeles casting directors, associate casting directors, and the newly organized casting assistants.” -Deadline
Other Strikes
October 3: The New Yorker Union Members Unanimously Authorize Strike Ahead of Festival. -THR
“More than six months into negotiations over a second labor contract, the magazine's union is asserting that wage floors, layoff protections and guardrails on outside work remain major sticking points.”
Other Union Updates
September 25: SAG-AFTRA Moves To Officially Organize Intimacy Coordinators -Deadline
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