AMPTP Suspends Negotiations With Actor's Union, SAG-AFTRA Responds

Negotiations between the studios and SAG-AFTRA have been suspended after two weeks, following the breakdown of talks as the strike enters its 92nd day. According to Deadline, SAG-AFTRA has accused the AMPTP of employing "bully tactics" and failing to address their revenue-sharing proposal.

Talks became "much rockier than usual" according to an unnamed industry source, prompting the suspension as the two sides couldn't resolve SAG-AFTRA's revenue-sharing proposal and the issue of AI. SAG-AFTRA has countered the studios' claim that their profit-sharing proposal would cost over $800 million annually, arguing it would amount to less than 57 cents per subscriber each year.

The talks' breakdown mirrors the negotiations with the Writers Guild earlier this year, which fell apart in mid-August and then yielded an agreement in September. In both instances, the studios released their latest offer publicly to sway members directly, but this tactic didn't work--SAG-AFTRA said early Thursday that the studios are abandoning "productive negotiations."

"We feel the pain these companies have inflicted on our members, our strike captains, IATSE, Teamsters and Basic Crafts union members, and everyone in this industry," the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee said in a statement.

The strike has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, affecting productions and surrounding vendors and businesses. While there was initially optimism after the Writers Guild's successful negotiation, the recent suspension of talks has cast uncertainty over the industry's future both short-term and long-range.

SAG-AFTRA's picket lines will continue in Los Angeles and New York as the strike enters a new phase.

Reportedly, Netflix plans to raise prices after the SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved.

Image credit: Getty Images/Hollywood To You/Star Max