Hollywood actors announce strike after SAG-AFTRA union and studios fail to reach pay deal

American actors will be joining writers on picket lines, after members of the US acting guild voted to take strike action.

The decision to walk out means that for the first time in 63 years, both SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and WGA (the Writers Guild of America) will be on strike at the same time.

SAG-AFTRA said the industrial action – which will effectively shut down Hollywood – would begin at midnight Los Angeles time.

It also warned no date has been set for its end.

As the strike was announced, stars including Matt Damon walked out of the London premiere of historical epic Oppenheimer to “write their picket signs”, the film’s director Christopher Nolan said.

Speaking on stage at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, he said: “I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy.

“The list is enormous – Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and so many more. You’ve seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

“Unfortunately, they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union.”

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In a press conference announcing the strike, SAG-AFTRA executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland described the action as a “last resort” and said it had come after four weeks of talks.

He accused industry body the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) of “devaluing the work of our members” and said it had been “unwilling to offer a fair deal on key issues essential to protecting the livelihoods of working actors and performers”.

“Actors deserve a contract that reflects the changes that have taken place in the industry,” he added.

The union – which represents 160,000 performers – had earlier voted unanimously to recommend a strike after negotiations with Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement.

Two of the actors’ big demands are higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through artificial intelligence (AI).

Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have already been striking for two months, seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and less exclusivity on single projects.

Productions hit by the writers’ strike include season five of Stranger Things, season two of The Last Of Us, season six of The Handmaid’s Tale and Game Of Thrones spinoff A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.

The decision for performers to join them on strike means Hollywood is likely to come to a virtual standstill – with many predicting an autumn TV schedule full of reality TV as a result.

AMPTP – which represents the likes of Netflix, Disney and other companies – said it was “deeply disappointed” by the union’s decision.

It added: “This is the union’s choice, not ours.

“In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses, and more.”

Equity, the British actors’ union, said in a statement that it “stands full square behind our sister union in their claim, and the action their Board have agreed to take”.

While the US actors’ strike will not directly affect those working on Equity contracts in the UK, it is thought that British performers who are members of SAG-AFTRA and working in the US will lawfully be allowed to take part.