The actors' union will officially join the WGA on the picket line.
The actors are mad as hell and they’re not gonna take it anymore.
The actors' union represents around 160,000 performers, including film and television actors, worldwide.
Fran Drescher, left, president of SAG-AFTRA, and Meredith Stiehm, president of Writers Guild of America West, during a rally by striking writers on May 8, 2023.Chris Pizzello/AP Photo
“It came with great sadness that we came to this crossroads.
But we had no choice.
We are the victims here,” Drescher said.
“We are being victimized by a very greedy entity.
I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us.
I cannot believe it, quite frankly.
How far apart we are on so many things.
They stand on the wrong side of history at this very moment.”
She continued: “We stand in solidarity in unprecedented unity.
Because at some point, the jig is up.
You cannot keep being dwindled and marginalized and disrespected and dishonored.
The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI.
This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth.
If we don’t stand tall right now, we are going to be in trouble.
Now, they’ll join their formal creatives more officially.
Even with the extended deadline, experts predicted it would come to a strike.
During the strike, actors are not allowed to participate in any production covered by the AMPTP TV/Theatrical Contracts.
This strike marks a historic milestone in Hollywood labor movements.
It is the first time since 1960 that both the WGA and SAG have been on strike concurrently.
The 1960 strike secured those residuals for actors, writers, directors, and even some crew members.
The strike also won the WGA and SAG new health insurance and pension plans.
Additional reporting by Devan Coggan.
