The union representing film and television actors announced last week it is ending its strike. SAG-AFTRA has been negotiating for months with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers or AMPTP.
At 118 days, this has been the longest actor strike in Hollywood history.
The union’s TV and theatrical negotiating committee unanimously voted and approved a tentative agreement with AMPTP. Talia Pura, president for SAG AFTRA New Mexico Local, said AMPTP thought they could wait them out.
“But that didn’t happen! We did stay strong and the result is that finally the studios had to take us seriously,” said Pura.
SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local has over 1,000 members that it represents across the state.
The contract will raise base wages for performers, as well as the pension and benefit caps within the union. Perhaps the biggest win is changes in streaming pay and protection around artificial intelligence.
While it has not yet been confirmed, Pura said that the new streaming compensation model will not resemble the residual pay from film and TV in the past.
The details of the agreement will now go to the national SAG-AFTRA board to be ratified. Once approved, production should start up soon in New Mexico.
“New Mexico has a lot of talented actors, a really really strong acting pool,” Pura noted.
Pura says she hopes this new contract will provide performers here with a sustainable future in the industry. Union members will begin voting on the new contract on Tuesday.