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After hours of anticipation (and a 12-day extension from its original negotiating deadline with Hollywood’s studios), the actors union SAG-AFTRA is now officially on strike.
The union announced the news Thursday in a press conference where Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, chief operating officer and general counsel of SAG-AFTRA, said, “Because the AMPTP remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on key issues essential to protecting the livelihoods of working actors and performers, SAG-AFTRA’s national board unanimously voted to issue a strike order against the studios and streamers.”
“Actors deserve a contract that reflects the changes that have taken place in the industry,” Crabtree-Ireland continued. “Unfortunately the current streaming model has undercut performers’ residual income and high inflation has further reduced our members’ ability to make ends meet.”