In a groundbreaking move to end the ongoing actors’ strike, a coalition of Hollywood’s top stars, including George Clooney, Emma Stone, Ben Affleck, Tyler Perry, and Scarlett Johansson, proposed a transformative plan during a Tuesday Zoom call with SAG-AFTRA leaders.
The proposal involves lifting the $1 million cap on membership dues, to direct over $50 million annually, totaling well above $150 million over the next three years, towards supporting health benefits and addressing other crucial areas for SAG-AFTRA.
In addition to removing the membership dues cap, the stars suggested a new residual payment system for streaming services. The proposed formula prioritizes the lowest earners on the call sheet, ensuring those in greater financial need are the first to receive payments. This proposal, confirmed by George Clooney, emphasizes the top earners’ commitment to being part of the solution and contributing significantly to the union.
George Clooney, a two-time Oscar winner, stated, “A lot of the top earners want to be part of the solution. We’ve offered to remove the cap on dues, which would bring over $50 million to the union annually—well over $150 million over the next three years. We think it’s fair for us to pay more into the union. We also are suggesting a bottom-up residual structure — meaning the top of the call sheet would be the last to collect residuals, not the first.”
While negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP continue, this proposal signals a collaborative effort from Hollywood’s elite to bridge the gap in actors’ payments. The studios’ departure from the bargaining table has led to tensions, but this initiative demonstrates a commitment to finding solutions and supporting the industry during challenging times.
As the discussions unfold, the industry awaits further updates on this significant development, recognizing the importance of collective efforts to address the concerns of actors and workers impacted by the current strike.
* This information was taken from the article on the web platform: Deadline. To read the original publication go here.