SAG-AFTRA says that interim agreements are “a vital part” of its plan to weather Hollywood’s labor strike

On Sunday night, SAG-AFTRA posted a lengthy statement on its website explaining what its tentative agreements are and how they are delivered to more than 100 different independent projectsas The chosen one, is not at odds with unemployment because these productions are not directly associated with the Alliance of Film and Television Producers. In addition to emphasizing that it is still very much against the AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA also insisted that the interim agreements are not “resignations” but legally binding contracts that adhere to the same labor terms that the union is pressing the studios to make. accept. to the.

“It behooves us to make this strategic move,” the union said. “The Interim Agreement gives many of our official artists and teams the opportunity to pay rent and feed their families. This approach maintains our strength, solidarity and advantage with the AMPTP until they cede to the treatment we deserve.”

In order for independent projects to successfully secure one of SAG-AFTRA’s interim deals during the strike, the production teams behind them cannot be part of the AMPTP, the trade association that essentially represents every major studio in the industry. of entertainment. In addition, productions that receive tentative agreements must automatically agree to all of the demands that SAG-AFTRA is making of the AMPTP, including significant increases in minimum wages and cutting actors 2 percent of broadcast revenue for projects that ultimately they end up on services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

In its statement, SAG-AFTRA acknowledged concerns that its interim agreements could “produce content for distribution by battered companies,” but expressed confidence that provisions such as the new revenue-sharing model “will make distribution of these unfeasible.” projects through AMPTP platforms”.

“Some have suggested that the Tentative Agreement could prolong the strike, but we disagree,” the union said. “We believe that the leverage created by increasing competitive pressure on the AMPTP and denying them what they want most will force them back to the table and help end this strike.”