Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Margulies, Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon and others carried placards and marched in solidarity with other actors and writers in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The union approved Friday’s strike amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals.
SAG-AFRTA, the union representing over 160,000 actors, is on strike at the same time as the WGA, which represents 11,000 writers.
The last time actors and writers went on strike together was in 1960, when Ronald Regan was President of the Actors’ Guild.
The WGA has been on strike since May 2nd.
Support: Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick (pictured), Julianna Margulies, Susan Sarandon and others carried placards and marched in solidarity with other actors and writers in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike
Arrival: The union approved Friday’s strike amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and streaming residuals; Julianna Margulies pictured
Support: SAG-AFRTA, the union representing over 160,000 actors, strikes at the same time as the WGA, representing 11,000 writers; Bette Midler in the picture
Kevin and Kyra were seen holding their signs at Tuesday morning’s march in New York City.
Kevin wore a SAG-AFTRA Strong t-shirt with a baseball cap and shorts, while Kyra wore a light-colored maxi skirt, white top and sticker supporting the punch.
Julianna cut a casual figure in her black blouse and cropped gray pants while holding a sign and a hot drink in her other hand.
Bette Midler was also seen at the march, walking with a sign alongside her friends.
Susan was seen wearing a t-shirt that read “SAG-AFTRA supports WGA” and carried a sign.
Also on the march were actors Kal Penn and Josh Charles, and actresses Tina Fey, Carla Gugino and Allison Pill.
According to CNN, the strike was approved after SAG-AFTRA failed to reach an agreement with some of Hollywood’s biggest studios.
Striking actors are demanding higher wages and protection from artificial intelligence.
Focus: Susan was seen wearing a t-shirt that read “SAG-AFTRA supports WGA” and carrying a sign
Strike: The last time actors and writers went on strike together was in 1960, when Ronald Regan was President of the Actors’ Guild; Saw Allison Pill
Out of solidarity: Bette Midler was also seen on the march, walking with a sign alongside her friends
With friends: Carla Gugino also joined the march in support of the strike
Beaming: The star brought her dog with her as they joined the picket line
For a good cause: Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe
Support: Miranda Cosgrove seen with friends
More: J. Smith-Cameron seen holding a sign
Casual: J. Smith Cameron wore a relaxed fit
SAG-AFTRA – the Screen Actors Guild Federation of Radio and Television Artists – announced Thursday morning that the studios’ negotiations had ended without an agreement.
They called for higher salaries to stave off inflation, as well as changes in how actors earn leftovers — which are earned every time a show they starred in airs on network or cable.
The reason they are asking for changes in residuals is because streamers like Disney Plus and Netflix don’t disclose the ratings of their shows and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platform.
Another element is artificial intelligence – and studios use their digital likeness without their permission or reasonable compensation.
The union leadership voted for a work stoppage from midnight after their demands were not met.
Under the rules of the strike, members of SAG-AFTRA are not allowed to promote anything, attend any press to promote a project, or make a film or TV series.
That includes this month’s Comic Con in San Diego.
Fan Drescher, the current president of SAG-AFTRA, announced the strike last Thursday.
“We demand respect!” You cannot exist without us!’ She said.
“What happens to us is important.” “What happens to us happens in all areas of work.”
Energetic: Josh Charles spotted at the picket line
Also in support here: Kal Penn wears a SAG-AFTRA shirt and holds a sign
Support: The stars were out in full force on Tuesday; Bette seen
Staying close: Kevin and Kyra at the picket line
Smile: Susan carries an iced drink
Together! Kyra was seen holding her sign on Tuesday
Action: Tina Fey was also pictured at the pickets on Tuesday
“When employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and forget about the key contributors that make the machine run, then we have a problem.”
“Plan is high, we demand respect,” said the Nanny actress.
In a statement following the announcement of the strike, the Association of Film and TV Producers expressed its disappointment at the failure of the negotiations.
“That’s the Union’s decision, not ours.” Similarities of actors protects, and much more rejected,” the group said in a statement.
It said it had “agreed the largest percentage increase in minimums in 35 years, a “significant increase” in pension and health insurance contribution caps, and an 11 percent increase over one year for background actors, stand-ins and photo doubles, and an additional 17 percent increase for background actors who need to do extensive self-styling.
Those who must recite lines during a run and photo doubles who must memorize and recite lines in front of the camera would receive an additional 62 percent increase under the proposal.
But Drescher said the two sides remain “far apart” on “so many things,” citing inflated payouts to top executives as the studios “plead poverty.”
Having both high-profile actors and writers on the picket line will generate good PR for the strikers, which in turn will incentivize entertainment companies to sit down at the table, says Paul Hardart, director of Entertainment, Media and Technology program at NYU School of Business Stern.
“I do think that the SAG strike will speed things up,” he said. “I think you’re going to see the pressure from outside forces — whether it’s the governor of California or the president of the United States — pushing this forward.”
But he admitted, “I could be completely wrong.”