The WGAW and WGAE are on strike. SAG-AFTRA supports the Writers Guild of America in their fight to achieve a fair and equitable contract.
While our union is now on strike, SAG-AFTRA members can continue to support the WGA's fight for a fair contract.
T-shirts and signs (while supplies last) will be available at the below sites. No RSVP necessary. Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID Card or show your digital card in the member app.
Here's the schedule for pickets and rallies.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand you may have questions about the WGA strike. Here are answers to some of the most common questions:
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- If you are contracted to work on a project that continues production while the WGA is on strike, you are legally obligated to continue working in any capacity covered by a SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement by the “no strike” clause in our collective bargaining agreements. You can continue to audition for work if you choose to do so.
- Like most unions, SAG-AFTRA has a no-strike clause in our Codified Basic Agreement, at Section 3, that states:
- “The Union agrees that, during the effective term hereof, it will not call or engage in a strike affecting motion picture production against any Producer signatory hereto.”
- Further in this section, the language reads:
- “The Union agrees that it will take such affirmative action as may be necessary and lawful in order to require its members to perform their respective obligations under the provisions of this Section 3.”
SAG-AFTRA therefore advises its members to continue to work. The WGA is aware of the requirements of our no strike clause and our members’ individual personal service agreements, and the fact that the labor law protections that apply to striking workers do not apply to other workers whose contracts are still in effect. If you as an individual decide not to report to work as required, you may be subject to breach of contract claims or be subject to termination by the Producer.
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Yes, you can continue to audition for work and accept new work if you choose to do so. SAG-AFTRA members should not, however, perform any writing work that would normally be done by the striking WGA writers. Contact the WGA for more information about covered writing work.
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- No. SAG-AFTRA members should not perform the duties covered by WGA contracts. Simply stated, you should not write anything normally written by striking WGA writers.
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- If you are contractually obligated by your personal service agreement to participate in the event, then you should fulfill that obligation. If you are not contractually obligated, we encourage you to instead show your support and solidarity to the W A and its members in this important fight by not participating in the FYC event.
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- SAG-AFTRA encourages you to walk any picket lines that have been set up by the WGA to show your solidarity. To avoid the risk of termination or lawsuits from employers, this should be done “off the clock” and not during work time. It is acceptable and encouraged to do so during breaks, lunch, etc.
You can also show your support on social media. Please post supportive statements in social using hashtags.
- #WGAstrong
- #sagaftramember
- #1u
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- If you are a member of both unions and employed under both capacities on a production, such as writer/actor, you must continue working as an actor.
- For your writing services, you should contact the WGA for information and guidance pursuant to their strike rules.
- For clarity, 'ad-libbing' or 'improvising' that does not involve creating or modifying any written materials is a performer service that is not within the scope of the WGA strike. On-set script rewrites, however, are a writer service that WGA members are prohibited from rendering for struck employers and SAG-AFTRA members should not provide that service either.
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- SAG-AFTRA is currently scheduled to begin negotiation of the Codified Basic Agreement and Television Agreement with the AMPTP on June 7, 2023. We will inform members if there is any change in the timing of our negotiations.
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- SAG-AFTRA will do everything in our power to reach an agreement with the AMPTP and we regard a strike as a last resort. We are currently scheduled to begin bargaining on June 7, 2023, and the union’s negotiating committee and staff are committed to achieving the best contract possible for our SAG-AFTRA members. If the committee believes a strike is necessary, the SAG-AFTRA membership must authorize a strike through a strike authorization vote. Only the National Board or its designee can declare a strike, even if authorized by members. SAG-AFTRA cannot go on strike before our contract expires on June 30, 2023, and a membership vote authorizes a strike, which is then declared by the National Board or its designee.
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- The affected productions include feature films, scripted dramatic television and scripted new media productions produced by AMPTP-represented employers and covered by the Codified Basic Agreement or Television Agreement.
- Programs produced under the Network Code agreement would not be affected. This includes daytime serials (soap operas), talk shows, game shows, variety shows, award shows and other unscripted productions. Also unaffected are any productions that are not theatrical, new media or television-based in nature, such as commercials.
- In the event of a strike, further information would be made available regarding how to determine if a particular production is subject to the strike.
- Independent producers who are not represented by the AMPTP should expect further communication from the union in the event of a strike.
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- We must support our fellow SAG-AFTRA members on every set even if they have to cross a picket line to get to work. The WGA is aware of the requirements of our No Strike clause and our members’ individual personal service agreements, and the fact that the labor law protections that apply to striking workers do not apply to other workers whose contracts are still in effect.
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A regularly updated picket schedule is available at sagaftra.org/wgastrike and is emailed to members frequently with reminders and updates. This schedule includes the locations and times when SAG-AFTRA will have staff support, shirts and signs on the ground and is updated daily for New York locations and weekly for Los Angeles locations. Please ensure that SAG-AFTRA has your current email address on file and that sagaftra.org is listed on your account’s safe senders list.
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We ask that you only picket at those locations and times listed on SAG-AFTRA’s schedule.
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- No. Those joining the WGA on the picket line are doing so to show solidarity with the WGA in its fight for a fair contract, and they do so without payment.
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For safety reasons and to ensure that signs are available to your fellow SAG-AFTRA members on future dates, we ask that you return your sign before departing the picket line.
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To ensure that our members don't inadvertently violate the strict legal requirements related to whether a union is supporting another union who is on strike vs. actually being on strike ourselves, we ask that you only use the prepared signs already provided by SAG-AFTRA.
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If you are attending a picket line included in SAG-AFTRA’s schedule of supported picket locations and times, there will be SAG-AFTRA staff support at the listed check-in area. Otherwise, WGA staff at the location’s check-in point can be of assistance. If you need to contact SAG-AFTRA and cannot find a member of SAG-AFTRA staff at the picket, please email wgastrikeinfo@sagaftra.org, where staff are handling emails during business hours.
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WGA picket support staff will instruct you on where to go, including whether you should stay at the main gate/picket area or join a secondary picket line at the same general location. Since SAG-AFTRA itself is not on strike, we ask that you picket only where WGA members are present. Please make sure to familiarize yourself with the Rules For Members Regarding Picket Line Conduct In Support of WGA Strike which apply to all locations where picketing is taking place.
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The most helpful thing you can bring to a picket is yourself. Picketing alongside WGA members is the best way to show your support and solidarity in their fight for a fair and just contract.
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You can pick up a SAG-AFTRA shirt and sign at the check-in area for those locations and times included in SAG-AFTRA’s schedule of supported picket lines. Signs are available only at picket line locations, but you may also pick up shirts at the SAG-AFTRA office at 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 130, Monday-Friday between 9a.m. - 4 p.m. To ensure that signs are available to your fellow SAG-AFTRA members on future dates, we ask that you return your sign before departing the picket line.
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Any additional picket locations will be listed at sagaftra.org/wgastrike and sent out via email to members of the locals where the picket is taking place. Please note that you can also show your support of the WGA on social media by posting supportive statements using the hashtags: #WGAstrong #sagaftramember #1u
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- Yes. you can absolutely participate in a picket line if you are behind on dues.
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- No, you do not need to RSVP for a picket line, but you should make sure to check in upon your arrival.
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- It's important that writers be the ones to tell their story and communicate key messages, so please limit any conversations with press to expressions of individual support for the WGA and writers, and do not speak on behalf of SAG-AFTRA. If you are asked for a comment on behalf of SAG-AFTRA, please direct press to pamela.greenwalt@sagaftra.org.
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- When picketing in front of a company that shares a building or worksite with other companies that WGA is not striking, a "reserve gate" can be set up exclusively for the struck company to use and then all other entrances (called "neutral gates") are available for the other companies who are not being struck and have no connection to the labor dispute. Picketers can only picket outside of the reserve gate. A reserve gate must be clearly marked so that anyone from the street or sidewalk can see that this entrance is reserved exclusively for those working for or visiting the struck company. All neutral gates should be clearly marked as well. The WGA is monitoring to ensure compliance with the reserve gate system.
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- At this time we are not seeking member volunteers to assist with staffing picket lines.
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