George Clooney and Other Actors Propose: In a virtual meeting with SAG-AFTRA union leadership, George Clooney, Tyler Perry, and other A-list actors have presented a significant proposal to help bring an end to the prolonged actors’ strike. The proposal includes removing the existing $1 million cap on membership dues, aiming to address the gap in contract negotiations with major studios.
Prominent and high-earning members, including Emma Stone, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, joined Clooney and Perry in the meeting with union leaders Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Clooney, speaking to Deadline, expressed the collective desire among top earners to contribute to the solution. He shared, “A lot of the top earners want to be part of the solution. Weve offered to remove the cap on dues, which would bring over $50 million to the union annually. Well over $150 million over the next three years. We think its fair for us to pay more into the union.”
As part of the proposal, a bottom-up residual structure is suggested, with the top of the call sheet being the last to collect residuals, not the first. The proposed changes aim to contribute significantly more in membership fees from top earners, boosting the union’s funding for health benefits.
Fran Drescher, President of SAG-AFTRA, acknowledged the generosity of the offer but clarified its legal limitations. “We are a federally regulated labor union, and the only contributions that can go into our pension and health funds must be from the employer. So what we are fighting for in terms of benefits has to remain in this contract,” she explained in a video shared on Instagram.
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The proposal follows the breakdown of contract negotiations on October 11, with studios suspending discussions due to a lack of progress. The strike, ongoing since July 14, revolves around negotiations on revenue sharing and policies related to the use of artificial intelligence, among other issues.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What’s going on with the actor strike?
The long-awaited end to the actors’ strike has arrived and here’s the lowdown on the new SAG-AFTRA contract. The agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has brought significant victories for actors, such as increased pay, bonuses for streaming, and safeguards regarding artificial intelligence.
What ethnicity is George Clooney?
Clooney hails from a lineage that includes Irish, German, and English roots.
Will the SAG strike end?
A preliminary agreement between the two parties was made on November 8, 2023. The strike came to an end at 12:01 a.m. PST on November 9. The SAG-AFTRA membership gave official approval to the contract on December 5, with more than 78% of members casting their vote in support of it.
Is there a cap on SAG-AFTRA dues?
Currently, SAG-AFTRA has a limit of $1 million on membership fees. Stars have suggested more than just getting rid of this limit to SAG president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. They have also proposed a solution to the flawed residual system in Hollywood.