SAG-AFTRA sent a letter to members on Sunday night addressing concerns over projects that are continuing to film during the strike using what’s called an “interim agreement.” The SAG-AFTRA TV and Theatrical Negotiating Committee explained in the letter that interim agreements — which they maintain are not waivers — are granted vetted and approved by the union, and allow productions that agree to terms set by SAG-AFTRA, including the proposals rejected by the AMPTP.
“Make no mistake, we are striking the AMPTP companies only, not independent productions that abide by the terms of our Interim Agreement. It behooves us to make this strategic move,” the letter reads.
The letter continues to say that the interim agreements “give many of our journeyman performers and crews the opportunity to pay their rent and feed their families,” and explains that productions moving forward under these agreements prove to the AMPTP that SAG-AFTRA’s terms are workable.
“Working with these independent producers proves that the wage increases and other terms, which the AMPTP has so far rejected, are in fact reasonable and appropriate,” the letter says. “Prior to a ratified deal with the AMPTP stemming from our negotiations, the agreement will demonstrate that our proposed residuals formulas, including the streaming revenue-sharing, are economically viable within our industry.”
The letter says the interim agreement is a “vital” part of SAG-AFTRA’s strategy in negotiating with the AMPTP. “If the AMPTP continues to refuse to bargain, our strategy denies them the ability to freely make their own original productions, allowing everyone other than the AMPTP to produce content with our members,” it says.
Many in the acting community have been voicing displeasure at productions moving forward under interim agreements, which include projects from companies like A24 and films starring actors like Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd.
Sarah Silverman came out strongly against the interim agreement on Friday, but somewhat walked back her comments in a video posted Saturday after she spoke with SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher.
“For me, I feel extremely comfortable agreeing to disagree and working together, picketing and telling the AMPTP that they can f–ing kick rocks because the truth is, we all want the same thing,” Silverman said. “We want a swift end to this strike, we want to get back to work having won crucial new benefits.”
While Oscar-winner Viola Davis didn’t demean the interim agreements, she said on Saturday she would hit pause on her project “G20” despite earning an interim agreement. The film is being produced by MRC but is due to be distributed by Amazon Studios.
“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” Davis said in a statement received by TheWrap. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”
In their letter to members, SAG-AFTRA also rejected claims that the interim agreement will prolong the strike.
“Some have suggested that the interim agreement might prolong the strike, but we disagree. We believe 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 bring this strike to an end.”
Read the full letter below via SAG-AFTRA:
Dear Member,
Prior to the start of TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations, your Negotiating Committee made the decision to allow producers, who may otherwise fall within the scope of the strike order, to apply for an Interim Agreement. Make no mistake, we are striking the AMPTP companies only, not independent productions that abide by the terms of our Interim Agreement. It behooves us to make this strategic move.
The Interim Agreement gives many of our journeyman performers and crews the opportunity to pay their rent and feed their families. This approach maintains our strength, solidarity and upper hand with the AMPTP until they yield to the deal we deserve. See a full list of permissible work here.
The Interim Agreement is not a waiver. To be clear, it is a contract that includes all terms and conditions for producers looking to employ our members on their specific independent productions.
The union thoroughly vets and approves each and every project seeking an Interim Agreement. Regardless of the size of the budget or the renown of the cast, these projects have been confirmed to be separate from the AMPTP and entirely independent, except for in extraordinary circumstances mandated by legal considerations, such as “Tehran.” It is important to note that the terms of the Interim Agreement have been designed by our Negotiating Committee and the Contracts Department to reflect the terms we are bargaining for in negotiations. The independent producers must agree to all of the terms, without exception, including the very proposals that the AMPTP rejected.
This Interim Agreement was created for several reasons, all of which are aimed at protecting the interests of our members, helping them successfully navigate the strike and demonstrating to the AMPTP that other producers are eager to work with our members under these terms.
The Interim Agreement ensures that our members are able to work for these non-struck companies.
Working with these independent producers proves that the wage increases and other terms, which the AMPTP has so far rejected, are in fact reasonable and appropriate.
If and when an Interim Agreement project is distributed during the strike, the members will receive the full benefit of the improved terms of our agreement.
Prior to a ratified deal with the AMPTP stemming from our negotiations, the agreement will demonstrate that our proposed residuals formulas, including the streaming revenue-sharing, are economically viable within our industry.
After a ratified deal with the AMPTP, the Interim Agreement will conform to our final terms, terms which will fairly compensate and protect our members.
The Interim Agreement encourages production budgets to be directed to union-covered projects employing union members rather than fueling a pipeline of non-union foreign productions.
The Interim Agreement is a vital part of our strategic approach to these negotiations and to the strike. If the AMPTP continues to refuse to bargain, our strategy denies them the ability to freely make their own original productions, allowing everyone other than the AMPTP to produce content with our members. We urge independent producers to apply and encourage SAG-AFTRA members to work on the projects that obtain an Interim Agreement, along with all of the other permissible work we support.
We understand the concern that our Interim Agreement may produce content for struck companies to distribute. We are confident that the terms of this agreement, particularly the streaming revenue share, will make distribution of these projects through AMPTP platforms unfeasible, until such time as an industrywide agreement has been reached.
Some have suggested that the Interim Agreement might prolong the strike, but we disagree. We believe 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 bring this strike to an end.
We will continue to work hard to negotiate fair compensation and safe working conditions for our members, and we thank you for your continued support through the strike.
In unity,
The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee
