SAG-AFTRA Members Ratify Contract With AI Terms and Pension Merger

SAG-AFTRA members have officially approved a new four-year contract with major studios, marking a significant step forward for the union. The contract includes provisions regarding the use of synthetic actors and the merger of the union’s two pension funds.

With a 91.4% majority in favor of the contract, members have shown their support for the new agreement, which addresses the use of AI performers in the industry. The contract stipulates that AI performers can only be used if they bring “significant additional value” compared to live actors or their digital avatars, with arbitration provisions in place to limit their use to specific cases.

Union president Sean Astin expressed confidence in the contract, stating that it aligns with industry standards and protects the value of human performance and creativity. Executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland highlighted the improvements made since the 2023 actors’ strike, emphasizing that the deal ensures synthetics remain the exception rather than the rule in the industry.

Despite the positive reception, some within the union have raised concerns about the potential unrestricted use of AI performers by studios. The union will have the opportunity to bargain if studios begin using synthetic actors, but a strike cannot be called over the issue until 2030.

One key point of contention in the contract was the merger of the SAG-Producers Pension Plan and the AFTRA Retirement Fund. While the union’s national board voted in favor of the merger, some members expressed reservations about the potential impact on pension benefits. However, union leaders have defended the merger, arguing that it will ultimately benefit participants in both plans.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers praised SAG-AFTRA for ratifying the contract, acknowledging the improvements in wages, pension and health benefits, streaming residuals, and performer protections. The AMPTP emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in reaching practical solutions for the industry’s long-term stability.

Looking ahead, the AMPTP is currently in negotiations with the Directors Guild of America, with key issues including jobs, AI, and health care on the table. As the industry continues to evolve, these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the entertainment sector.