Recently, SAG-AFTRA negotiators reached out to studios to say that they’re willing and ready to start intensive back-to-back negotiations, and it was starting to seem that the actors strike, like the WGA’s, was nearing its happy end.
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However, the talks have reportedly hit a major backslide, and it’s not making actors any happier or any less restless.
One of those picketers who aren’t happy with the news is “Lost” actor M.C. Gainey.
AMPTP – Suspends Talks With SAG-AFTRA In Shock Move
M.C. Gainey is convinced the union will stick together no matter the tricks studios play, and no matter how long it takes to reach a fair and worthy deal.
Speaking to The Wrap following the suspension of talks, he said, “a lot of these kids would be disappointed because their hopes were so high after the writers. But that’s the old gag here.
AMP in the post
These kids didn’t need much cheering up. And I told them this is day one for me when you’ve been ripped off, f—ed over, and made to look like you’re foolish for having optimistic thoughts, that’s when it starts. This is day one of the strike, and there’s a lot of other people out here feel the same way.”
“They’re not down, they’re mad,” Gainey continued. “There’s incredible support, incredible support. And it will be paid forward when the Teamsters contract is over. If they have to walk, we’ll be out here walking. I see clearly they have messed up.”
He added: “We have a town that’s a union town here, maybe as much as any town in America. A union town. You can’t divide us, and you can’t beat us.”
Since the suspension of talks, more stars have taken to the picket lines, now more motivated than ever. With writers already back to work, actors are more anxious than ever to get back to work as well. But that doesn’t mean they’ll settle for anything that’s not a fair deal.
AMP in the post
The studios are dragging their feet on meeting the labor union halfway, and with the strike approaching day 100, there seems to be no end in sight.
The lack of residuals and the emergence of better and competitive AI technologies forced the actors union to join WGA on strike in July.
Since then, multiple stars have spoken out about the desperate reasons they’re striking, as they fight to protect their craft and make sure their people aren’t being starved out. You can learn about ways to support their mission by visiting the official SAG website.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with SAG-AFTRA right now. Come back here often for all SAG-AFTRA spoilers, news, and updates.
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