Hollywood strikes a deal: SAG-AFTRA ends historic 118-Day strike with groundbreaking AI protections

After a grueling 118-day strike, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a tentative three-year deal, marking the end of the longest strike in SAG-AFTRA’s history. The agreement, described as “historic” includes significant wage and bonus increases, with a crucial focus on addressing concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI). Studio heads, including Ted Sarandos and Bob Iger, offered substantial protections against AI, paving the way for Hollywood to resume full-scale production within three weeks. While this marks a significant step forward, Hollywood still faces labour challenges, with VFX workers unionising at Disney and Marvel, and a potential strike looming in the video game industry. The deal signifies a hard-fought victory for over 160,000 SAG-AFTRA members and brings an end to a bitter labour dispute that began in May.