SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee considers proposal from top players and urges AMPTP to conduct “fair negotiations”.

When SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher took to Instagram Thursday night to thank George Clooney and other high-profile actors for their “extremely generous” offer, which they hoped would help resolve the current impasse between the guild and around the studios to overcome, the SAG AFTRA The committee also made the offer in a letter to members on Thursday.

Like Drescher’s video, the negotiating committee’s letter thanked the top players for their donations and their “suggestions, particularly regarding our streaming proposal and the AMPTP’s characterization that we are spending too much to ask for.”

The high-profile group proposed eliminating the contribution cap, which would have given the guild’s top earners $150 million more over the next three years, and adjusting the remaining distribution mechanism.

“This broad concept is worth considering, but is unrelated to this current contract and will not affect it, even as a subject of collective bargaining.” This is effectively prohibited by federal labor law,” the negotiating committee said in its letter. “For example, our pension and health insurance policies are financed solely by employer contributions. Nor does it say anything about the size of the overall package. to help resolve the deadlock, much appreciated.”

The letter continued to outline the development of SAG-AFTRA’s revenue-sharing plan until major media company chief executives broke off negotiations last week, stressing that it was only part of the overall package proposal while encouraging studios to continue to refuse to oppose it. our absolutely necessary proposals, including minimum wages.”

With the SAG-AFTRA strike lasting nearly 100 days, the committee addressed the companies directly.

“AMPTP, it is time to negotiate honestly, value our contributions and strengthen an industry that works for everyone. We subsidized the growth of the streaming model with reduced rates and little to non-existent residuals. It’s time to share in the success we helped build.”

Here is the full letter:

Dear SAG-AFTRA members,

In this time of adversity and hardship, our unwavering solidarity, along with that of our sister union members, is truly inspiring. For 98 days, we stood strong and united in our pursuit of justice, fairness and the value we create for the industry. The WGA triumphed after 148 hard days, proving that persistence will break through the toughest barriers and lead to the transformative change we need to justify everyone’s sacrifices.

The AMPTP continues to try to divide us by misrepresenting our proposals and manipulating public opinion. But even as they walked away, we all stood firm and refused to be swayed by anything less than what we rightfully deserved.

We are grateful that some of our most successful members have signed up to provide ideas and support. In addition to donating extraordinary amounts of money to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation to support members during the strike, these influential individuals have also attempted to make proposals, particularly regarding our streaming proposal and the AMPTP characterization that we too often question. They considered increasing the amount of money top earners donate to the union by raising their dues.

This broad concept is worth considering, but is not related to this current contract and will not affect it, even as a subject of collective bargaining. This is actually prohibited by federal labor law. For example, our pension and health insurance policies are financed exclusively from employer contributions. It also doesn’t say anything about the size of the overall package.

Nevertheless, their creativity and genuine desire to help resolve the impasse is greatly appreciated. It is worth noting that the union has a very robust process to address each member’s concerns.

The fact that the heads of networks, streaming companies and studios are open to communicating directly with them is great. But those in charge should not think for a moment that they can use the goodwill of the member representatives to distract us from our mission.

We don’t ask too much. As a loyal negotiating partner and understanding the concerns expressed about our proposal to share revenue/subscriptions by 2%, we have made a calculated adjustment. After a series of seemingly constructive meetings, we abandoned the plan we had carefully and responsibly developed over the past year and lowered our demand to 1%. We achieved this by restructuring our proposal and adapting it to their concerns. They responded by walking out and calling us greedy.
Our revenue sharing/subscription model is just one part of our overall offering package. The AMPTP still refuses to reject many of our absolutely essential proposals, including the minimum wages our members want to achieve.

Therefore, for the time being, we encourage all members to defend our entire package of proposals and stand up for the cause. During the course of this strike, senior members raised their voice for the negotiating committee to negotiate a reasonable deal. We agree on that.
For our fearless team captains, your resilience is impressive. It was an honor for the members of the Negotiating Committee to be on the phone with you this week to show you our appreciation. Your contributions are critical to the success of this strike. With each passing day, we get closer to creating a film and television industry where talent can sustainably thrive.

To our industry brothers and sisters – AGF, DGA, IATSE, WGA, Teamsters and Basic Crafts – thank you for your support, a testament to the union movement’s unwavering solidarity even in the face of shared hardship. We won’t forget you or let you down when it’s your turn at the table.

To be clear: our call is simple. AMPTP, it’s time to negotiate honestly, value our contributions and strengthen an industry that works for everyone. We subsidized the growth of the streaming model with reduced rates and little to non-existent residuals. It’s time to share in the success we’ve helped build.

Just as the WGA weathered the storm, so will we. Let’s draw strength from each other and trust that our unity will lead us to the contract we deserve.

One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it lasts.

With love and solidarity,
Your SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee