UPDATED with Equity statement, 3.28am PT: Equity has now issued a short statement on the strikes. In a post on X, the union said: “We’re pleased to hear that our sister union SAG-AFTRA has approved a tentative agreement with the AMPTP and that the strike has been suspended. Solidarity with all who stood strong during this action and we wish SAG-AFTRAthe best as they deliberate the contents of this deal.”
EXCLUSIVE: UK producers body Pact and TV and film union Bectu have welcomed the SAG-AFTRA/AMPTP deal that’s set to bring the actors strike to an end.
The impact of the agreement is already being felt on across the Atlantic, with Pact CEO John McVay saying the news meant British production companies who shut down or postponed projects with SAG members could now get that work back on track.
Bectu’s Philippa Childs praised the union’s members for “weathering this unprecedented time and showing solidarity to their fellow trade unionists in the U.S.” after SAG-AFTRA struck its deal with the studios after 118 days of action. Hollywood is expected to be up and running again within weeks, with several international productions also set to restart.
“Pact welcomes the news that the SAG/AFTRA negotiation committee voted unanimously to accept the AMPTP offer,” said McVay in a statement to Deadline. “Moreover, the news that work may recommence will be received positively by the Pact members who had to postpone production or development of projects that involved SAG members.
“Pact and Equity recently agreed terms for a three-year deal to increase minimum payments under our own agreement,” he added. “We also meet with the union in a constructive and collaborative forum to discuss AI uses.”
AI was the final sticking point of the U.S. actors strike negotiations, and has also become an issue in UK labor talks. As Deadline revealed, ITV and Equity have been working on a landmark deal that will include AI provisions for the first time — highlight how the issue has become an international talking point.
Bectu’s Childs said: “We congratulate our SAG-AFTRA colleagues on their determination in holding out for a deal that meets their objectives. We wholeheartedly welcome this news after what has been and incredibly difficult period for our members, and the whole UK film and TV industry.
“I want to pay tribute to Bectu members for weathering this unprecedented time and showing solidarity to their fellow trade unionists in the US. It cannot be understated how much UK film and TV workers have suffered at the hands of the AMPTP’s failure to reach an acceptable agreement with SAG-AFTRA. This news will come as a huge relief and provide some hope after months and months of instability.
“Our members are highly skilled, talented professionals and the backbone of our film and TV sector, and we look forward to them getting back to work as soon as possible.”
Several UK productions such as Speak No Evil, Amateur and Silo season 2 were shut down following the U.S. labor action, which began with the writers strike in May.
Trade union body Equity declined to comment. We understand its leaders are waiting to more fully understand the content of the agreement before making a public statement.