SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if upcoming contract talks fail to produce a satisfactory agreement by June 30.
The vote revealed Monday was 97.91% in favor, with nearly half of eligible members — 47.69% — casting ballots. According to the union, nearly 65% of eligible members voted.
The vote comes just two days before the guild will begin bargaining for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers; two days after the Directors Guild reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP for its own new contract; and 35 days into the ongoing Writers Guild strike.
Following the SAG-AFTRA vote, the AMPTP said this evening in a statement that “We are approaching these negotiations with the goal of achieving a new agreement that is beneficial to SAG-AFTRA members and the industry overall.” “The strike authorization votes have been tabulated and the membership joined their elected leadership and negotiating committee in favor of strength and solidarity,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher. “I’m proud of all of you who voted as well as those who were vocally supportive, even if unable to vote.
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