Don't Miss

Ghosts Showrunners Tease Carol's Christmas Return and Season 5's Final HauntingsGhosts Showrunners Tease Carol's Christmas Return and Season 5's Final Hauntings

SAG
  • AFTRA Sets Stage for 2026 Contract Negotiations


Union Prepares for Crucial Talks on Behalf of 160,000 Media Professionals


The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG

  • AFTRA) is preparing to initiate its next round of major contract negotiations. This official start of the bargaining cycle marks a critical moment for the entertainment industry, setting the stage for discussions that will determine new working conditions for union members.


    • Timeline for the Upcoming Union Negotiations


    The union has confirmed that the formal negotiations cycle will commence in 2026. This timeline provides both the union and the opposing studios and streamers a significant period to prepare for what are expected to be complex and high

  • stakes talks. The current contracts, which were ratified after a lengthy 2023 strike, are set to expire, making these 2026 discussions pivotal for the future of the industry.


    • Key Issues at the Heart of the Bargaining Process


    While the specific agenda for the 2026 union negotiations will be shaped in the coming months, several key issues are anticipated to be central to the discussions. The talks will likely build on recent gains while addressing evolving challenges in the media landscape.



    • Compensation structures for streaming media and new technologies.

    • Protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence in production.

    • Improvements in working conditions and residual payments.


    The outcome of these contract talks will have a profound impact on actors, broadcast journalists, and other media professionals represented by SAG

  • AFTRA, shaping the standards for the entire Hollywood industry.