SAG-AFTRA NED Discusses Collective Bargaining at USC Law School Panel

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland was a guest speaker at the Entertainment Industry Strikes, Negotiations and Ratifications in 2023 — Lessons Learned panel on April 23. The panel was hosted by the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Joining Crabtree-Ireland was WGA Executive Director & Lead Negotiator Ellen Stutzman, with USC professors Pamela Conley Ulrich and Jonathan Handel as moderators. Among those in attendance were USC Law students.

Using SAG-AFTRA and WGA’s respective 2023 negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers as a real-world example, Crabtree-Ireland and Stutzman discussed the importance of collective bargaining within the entertainment industry. In addition to outlining the similarities and differences between collective and traditional bargaining, they delved into the negotiations process for both unions and major lessons learned from their respective strike actions. Crabtree-Ireland also provided insight into the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements and major wins under the 2023 TV/Theatrical contracts, including the groundbreaking provisions for streaming residuals and artificial intelligence.

Photo: SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, center left, at the Entertainment Industry Strikes, Negotiations and Ratifications in 2023 — Lessons Learned panel at USC Gould School of Law on April 23. WGA Executive Director & Lead Negotiator Ellen Stutzman, far left, was also a panel speaker with USC professors Pamela Conley Ulrich and Jonathan Handel moderating.