Special Edition: SAG-AFTRA Goes on Strike
An interview with Michelle Hurd of the National Negotiating Committee.
Darklings,
On Thursday, July 13, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) officially announced their strike, meaning a full work stoppage for all members effective at 12:01 AM Pacific time on July 14. Negotiations with the AMPTP (the body that represents studios and streamers) broke down after four weeks, and the effects were felt immediately with actors walking off red carpets of highly anticipated summer blockbusters before the strike had even officially begun.
It unfortunately wasn’t surprising to learn that negotiations had disintegrated between SAG and AMPTP. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since May, and seeing AMPTP’s treatment of that union over the past few months didn’t inspire much hope for finalizing a satisfactory deal. In June, SAG members voted to authorize a strike in the event a fair deal—one that protects all members against the rise of artificial intelligence, streaming monoliths, and horribly dwindling salaries for the average worker—could not be reached.
Members of our union recently sent out a letter signed by more than 1,000 actors, myself included, urging the union leaders to stand strong and not waiver on issues like fair pay and residuals (a form of income that actors rely on to make ends meet, especially when between jobs). Though it’s not just concern over fair compensation that has led to the strike but much bigger existential threats like the use of artificial intelligence (AI) which is poised to take jobs away from actors. If this sounds hyperbolic to you, I assure you, it is not; it’s already happening. In the coming weeks, you will likely hear firsthand accounts of AI horror stories that sound ripped from the pages of a George Orwell novel.
The SAG-AFTRA strike comes on the heels of the ongoing WGA strike which has now entered its seventy-fifth day. I recently interviewed writer Eliza Clark about why the WGA is striking and what their strike meant for writers as well as audiences. Many of you here in our community and beyond found that piece to be very informative and helpful in understanding the full scope and weight of this moment. In light of that, I’ve asked my friend, actress, National Vice President of SAG-AFTRA - Los Angeles chapter, and National Negotiating Committee member, Michelle Hurd, to join us for an interview. In today’s newsletter, Michelle and I talk about the significance of this moment for the union, why these negotiations matter now more than ever, and perhaps most importantly, we set the record straight on what the union is actually asking for.
I met Michelle through our political work in TIME’S UP. She is one of the fiercest advocates and strongest women I know. In front of the camera, Michelle has captivated audiences with her work in television shows like Star Trek: Picard, Blindspot, Blue Bloods, and Hawaii Five-0, but behind the scenes Michelle has long been a powerful voice for change in our industry, working on landmark decisions that have helped to redefine industry standards and policies, most especially for women and people of color. As she shares with us here, the stakes could not be higher for the entertainment industry. WGA and SAG-AFTRA are fighting for much more than fair treatment; we’re fighting for protection against a technology that, left unchecked, will become a threat to the very art form itself.
Amber Tamblyn: Michelle, thank you for giving us some of your time today. I know it’s been a truly crazy twenty-four hours. Can you start by telling people a little bit about who you are and your relationship to SAG-AFTRA?
