Stalled Negotiations: SAG-AFTRA and Major Studios Clash Over Streaming Revenue and Worker Protection

Talks between SAG-AFTRA and major studios have crumbled, as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers declared on Wednesday that the disparities between the two sides were "too great".

The union expressed "profound disappointment" with the studios, claiming that they have engaged in "bully tactics", walking away after refusing to counter the latest offer from the union.

The central point of contention revolves around a union proposal to share streaming revenues, which the AMPTP claims would amount to $800 million annually. SAG-AFTRA countered by asserting that this figure was overstated by 60%, and that their proposal would result in a cost of 57 cents per subscriber per year for streaming platforms.

"We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began. These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue YOUR work generates for them," SAG-AFTRA told the membership.

"SAG-AFTRA's current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year - which would create an untenable economic burden," the studio group said in a statement. "SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items."

SAG-AFTRA is looking to get an 11% increase in minimum rates to account for inflation, but the AMPTP is offering the same deal it gave the WGA and the Directors Guild of America - 5%, followed by increases of 4% and 3.5%.