Actor strike looms over Hollywood

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is recommending an actors’ strike after contract negotiations broke down Wednesday night. Members will vote on the recommendation Thursday. SAG-AFTRA will be the second Hollywood union to strike this year after the Writers Guild of America walked out in early May. Studios reportedly called federal negotiators to step in on Wednesday in a final effort to avoid another strike.

What can the actors union and studios not agree on? SAG-AFTRA members have requested higher base wages and residuals for shows on streaming services now that many projects are no longer syndicated on network or cable TV. They also want rules and safeguards against studios using an actor’s likeness without permission through artificial intelligence.

Dig deeper: Read Tobin Jacobson’s report on month two of the Writers Guild strike.