Fran Drescher during the SAG-AFTRA & WGA Rally on August 1, 2023 in New York City.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
AMPTP’s decision to suspend negotiations with SAG-AFTRA “really shocked” union president Fran Drescher.
“What exactly does that mean and why would you leave the table? It’s not like we’re asking for something that’s so outrageous,” Drescher said Conversation with NBC’s Chloe Melas, which aired on Today show friday “It’s so wrong. And it’s so unfair that they walked out of the meeting. And so disrespectfully.”
On Thursday, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said talks broke down after SAG proposed what he called a “fee” for streaming subscribers. AMPTP said the proposal would cost them more than $800 million a year.
“That’s an exorbitant price for that press benefit,” Drescher told Melas. “It works out to 57 cents a year per subscriber, which is less than a postage stamp.”
“We can’t go back to the way it was. It is unsustainable and my members can no longer make a living on this new and unprecedented streaming platform with the old payment structure,” added Drescher. “And they will have to accept that reality.
And AI remains a sticking point, with consent and compensation still uncertain.
“We’re fighting tooth and nail to get them the AI protections they want,” Drescher said. “But the last thing Sarandos said as they were leaving the room yesterday was, ‘We don’t like your AI counterproposal. Well, you know, we’re looking for the protection these people deserve. Because it is their image. It is their essence of being. It is their talent that is in danger of being stolen.”
In an interview, Drescher called the guild’s fight somewhat existential, echoing her comments in July, when the strike began.
“We’re at a crossroads where it’s a very dangerous time,” she said. “And this is a very important negotiation. What’s important is what happens here.”
SAG-AFTRA canceled all demonstrations planned for Friday in New York and Los Angeles, citing “potential security concerns unrelated to our ongoing crackdown” on the Palestinian terror group Hamas. supporters urged take to the streets on a day of action in support of terrorist attacks in Israel. The actor’s union introduced va post on social networks Thursday: “Stay safe and see you next week on patrol.”