A TV/Theatrical/Streaming Update from National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland

SAG-AFTRA Member,

By now you likely are aware that late last night the Directors Guild of America’s negotiating team reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. I have spoken to my counterpart at the DGA, National Executive Director Russell Hollander, who is also their chief negotiator, and extended our congratulations to them on concluding their negotiations.

While the DGA has released some bullet points reflecting key gains in the agreement, we have not yet had the opportunity to review the details of the agreement. Therefore, it would be premature for us to express any opinion as to the terms from SAG-AFTRA’s perspective.

As you know, we will begin our negotiations with the AMPTP this Wednesday, June 7. As we have done throughout this process, we will remain in close communication with our sister unions, especially the WGA and the DGA, and we will seek to capitalize on the insights we have gained from their bargaining process and progress they have made on common issues. Of course, the needs of SAG-AFTRA members are unique, and each and every area of focus in our negotiations is directed to serving those interests.

Our bargaining strategy has never relied upon nor been dependent on the outcome or status of any other union’s negotiations, nor do we subscribe to the philosophy that the terms of deals made with other unions bind us. We continue to stand in strong solidarity with the members of the WGA and with their strike, and we congratulate the DGA on their bargaining and look forward to reviewing the detailed terms of their agreement as soon as possible.

Our TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike authorization vote deadline is tomorrow, Monday, June 5, at 5 p.m. PT. If you haven’t yet voted, please do so right now. Also, please urge your personal network of friends and colleagues who are eligible SAG-AFTRA members to vote by the deadline. Information is available at sagaftra.org/contracts2023.

In unity,

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland

National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.