Black Hollywood Celebrates the End of SAG-AFTRA’s 118-Day Strike

Quinta Brunson, Yvette Nicole Brown and Octavia Spencer are among the stars reacting to the end of the historic work stoppage.

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Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris, Jesse Grant, Alberto E. Rodriguez (Getty Images)

That sound you heard at 12:01 a.m. was the entire entertainment industry breathing a huge sigh of relief as the SAG-AFTRA strike officially came to an end. On Wednesday, the union announced that its negotiating committee “voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers] AMPTP.”

“In a contract valued at over one billion dollars, we have achieved a deal of extraordinary scope that includes ‘above-pattern’ minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus,” the union said in a statement. “In addition, the deal includes numerous improvements for multiple categories including outsize compensation increases for background performers, and critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.”

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Streaming residuals and protections against unauthorized artificial intelligence have been major sticking points between the union and AMPTP. The SAG-AFTRA strike ran for 118-days, running concurrently with the WGA’s work stoppage, which ran for 148-days and ended Sept. 26. The simultaneous strikes caused film and TV productions to press pause, leading to more delays for a business still recovering from the pandemic shutdown.

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Up next, there will be a nationwide vote to ratify the new agreement, then everyone can get back to work. In the meantime, the strike is over and picketing has stopped. Many actors took to social media to celebrate the news, with Black Hollywood rejoicing in the news.

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When a user asked Quinta Brunson if the strike ending meant Abbott Elementary Season 3 would start production, the writer/creator/star quote tweeted with a clip of Tokyo Toni saying, “Well yes.” We’re all super excited, because we’ve never needed the smart, hilarious comedy more.

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Oscar winner Octavia Spencer thanked the union on Instagram, writing, “Ready to work now that the strike is over! Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee! Proud to stand in solidarity with all SAG members over the last 118 days.”

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Yvette Nicole celebrated with a heart and raised hands emojis, writing on X, “Praise, God! Won’t He do it!”

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Jeffrey Wright, who stars in the upcoming film American Fiction, is ready for the industry to get moving again, writing on X, “Cool. Well done to the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee! Let’s put all the people - in every field - who make our industry hum back to work.”

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Writer/actress Franchesca Ramsey appreciated the union’s gift, writing on X, “What a tremendous early birthday gift!!”

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement expressing her gratitude that a deal between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP would allow the city’s economy to recover as productions resume.

“I am grateful that a fair agreement has been reached between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP after a more than 100 day strike that impacted millions in Los Angeles and throughout the country,” Bass wrote. “Those on the line have been the hardest hit during this period and there have been ripple effects throughout our entire city. Today’s tentative agreement is going to impact nearly every part of our economy. Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet.”

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Since actors weren’t allowed to promote projects during the strike, this means upcoming Black movies like American Fiction, Rustin, The Color Purple and The Book of Clarence will receive the major roll outs they need to be successful and stay in awards contention.