The International Federation of Actors (FIA) and its affiliated unions worldwide express unwavering solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and its members as they undertake a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in their pursuit of a better future for themselves and forthcoming generations of actors in the United States. The union’s decision to take action stems from the AMPTP’s failure to engage in meaningful negotiations and address crucial concerns, including living wages, a modernized streaming residual formula, and regulated use of AI to protect actors’ voice and likeness, among other vital issues. FIA and its affiliated unions pledge their steadfast support for as long as necessary and by all legally available means until a fair agreement with the AMPTP is reached.
FIA President Gabrielle Carteris emphasizes, “This goes beyond actors in the United States. It is about upholding respect and fairness for actors worldwide, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the success of our industry and the creation of content that entertains millions globally. This is about our collective future and our inherent rights as workers, and rest assured, we stand united.”
FIA General Secretary Dominick Luquer adds, “It is deeply disheartening to witness the rejection of the legitimate demands of the actors we represent, such as a living wage and control over the use of their voice and likeness in relation to generative AI, by CEOs who earn exorbitant salaries each year. There is something fundamentally wrong with these companies. Beneath the glamour, countless lives are at stake—workers who struggle to make ends meet. The AMPTP needs to awaken to the reality that they have nothing to sell without us.”
FIA urges all its members to remain vigilant, as struck companies will likely seek to relocate their production elsewhere in an attempt to circumvent the terms of the strike. It is essential for FIA members to stay alert and promptly communicate with SAG-AFTRA whenever such situations arise. Together, we can ensure that the strike’s objectives are upheld, and that actors’ voices are heard. One family, one voice and one resolve !
We invite you to use and share the SAG-AFTRA Strike Allies Social Media Tool Kit which contains suggested contents and graphics!
Further information on the SAG-AFTRA Strike can be found on the website: SAG-AFTRA Strike | 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming Strike (sagaftrastrike.org)