Julia Stoll
Research expert covering TV and video media
SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes - statistics & facts
One of the longest work stoppages of writers and actors in Hollywood bringing the U.S. TV and movie industry to a near complete halt ended between September and November 2023. After 148 and 118 days respectively, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), as well as the Screen Actors Guild 鈥 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) reached agreements on contracts with the studios. But what happened? On May 2, 2023, the WGA officially went on strike following ongoing labor disputes with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the first of this scale since the 2007-2008 strike. The SAG-AFTRA joined the movement roughly two months later, consequently launching the first joint strike since 1960. The main sticking points in the strikes appeared to be residuals and minimum earnings from streaming services, as well as an increased regulation of generative AI.
