Recent from talks
1980 actors strike
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
1980 actors strike
The 1980 actors strike was a labor strike held in July–October 1980 by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), two labor unions representing actors in the American film industry. The strike was caused by a breakdown in labor contract negotiations between the two unions (who were negotiating for a joint contract) and representatives of film studios, television networks, and other independent producers. The primary point of contention regarded residuals from home media, such as videocassettes and pay television. Specifically, the union was seeking a form of profit sharing wherein they would receive a percentage of the revenue made from home media releases. Additionally, the unions wanted a 35 percent salary increase across the board for their members. By mid-July, the union and industry representatives were at an impasse, and the strike started on July 21. Several days later, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, a labor union representing musicians in the film industry) also went on strike for similar reasons.
Altogether, roughly 67,000 workers from SAG and AFTRA struck.
Striking continued for several months, during which time almost all production on film and television was halted. Additionally, the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards were boycotted by the unions, with only one Emmy winner attending the event: actor Powers Boothe. By mid-September, an agreement had been made between the union and companies that constituted a compromise, with the unions receiving pay increases and profit sharing from home media releases, but at a lower share than they had originally pushed for. However, the contracts also provided for additional benefits in the members healthcare, pension, and overtime plans, among other guarantees. As a result, union members voted to accept the terms of the agreement by mid-October. The AFM continued to strike for several more months, agreeing to a new contract in January of the following year.
The strike was the actor's longest for film and television until 2023, where the strike occurred alongside the Writers Guild of America's.
Starting on May 19, 1980, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), two major labor unions representing actors in Hollywood, had been negotiating with representatives of film producers, film studios, and television networks (many represented by the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and including, among others, the Big Three television networks, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, and Universal Pictures) over new labor contracts that would cover the next three years. According to both unions, the major point of contention regarded the burgeoning home video market. Industry representatives contended that home media was at the time not yet a major business, with only 2 percent of all American households owning a VCR at that time. However, the unions disagreed and were seeking changes regarding payment for these releases. In particular, the unions wanted a profit sharing plan for home video releases, including pay television, videocassettes, and videodiscs. At the time, the current practices were to pay actors a one-time salary for participation in a project with no future profit sharing for home video releases. However, SAG proposed a profit sharing model wherein actors would receive 12 percent of the gross revenues for projects made explicitly for home video. In addition, SAG was pushing for actors to receive payments for films that had been sold to television networks or cable channels that have been shown more than 12 times in a month. While these covered SAG's concerns with home video, the union was also seeking a 35 percent increase in all salary categories, while both unions were also pushing for a 40 percent increase in their minimum wages over the next three years, which would have seen union members' daily rates increase from $225 to $315 and weekly rates increase from $785 to $1,100. These contract negotiations did not affect the production of game shows, soap operas, or news and educational programs, which were covered under different contracts. As negotiations continued, the unions prepared for strike action, with The New York Times reporting on July 10 that SAG had set a strike deadline for July 21. With no deal reached by that time, the strike began on July 21, with a walkout at 2 a.m. At the time of the strike's beginning, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) had also been negotiating a new contract with the recording industry concerning similar issues over home media. While that contract had expired on March 31, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) delayed agreeing to new terms until their dispute with the film and television industry had also been settled. This strike would be the second collaborative strike between Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) following a strike in 1978. The 1980 Actors Strike was not an isolated event but occurred within a broader context of labor unrest in Hollywood. During this period, guilds representing writers, directors, and actors were increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with compensation models, particularly as new technologies like cable television and home video began reshaping the entertainment landscape. This strike marked a critical moment for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), as both organizations grappled with the challenges of adapting their contracts to reflect the realities of modern media distribution. These tensions reflected a continuation of disputes dating back to earlier technological shifts, such as the rise of network television, which had also prompted calls for equitable profit-sharing arrangements.
In the first week of striking, The Christian Science Monitor reported that the action had "shut down most movie and TV productions across the United States". Of note, three movies that were being filmed in New York City at the time were put on hold after movie stars Candice Bergen, Jacqueline Bisset, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Burt Reynolds did not show up on set. 9 to 5 and The Janitor, both Twentieth Century Fox films, were among the films that were under production and affected by the strike. Spokespeople for several television networks stated that, while filming for some shows scheduled for the 1980–81 United States network television schedule had already been completed, a prolonged strike could affect scheduling, either forcing a delay of the start of the season or requiring the showing of reruns until production could continue. Meanwhile, spokespeople for the unions stated that the strike could be a long one. By August 2, Billboard was reporting that negotiations between the unions and entertainment industry were still ongoing. At midnight on July 31, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), which had similarly been negotiating with the film industry over pay issues regarding music used in home media releases, joined SAG and AFTRA in striking against the AMPTP, with AFM President Victor Fuentealba saying, "There is a long-standing, obvious and illogical inequity whereby musicians receive no reuse payment when TV films on which they have worked are rerun on TV, while producers make such payments to actors, directors and writers". This came after negotiations deteriorated just before the AFM's contract with the AMPTP expired on July 31.
By early August, Billboard reported that the strike was costing the American film and television industry approximately $40 million per week. Around that same time, on August 4, SAG entered into mediation hosted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service at the Wilshire Federal Building. While SAG was still adamant about the 35 percent across the board wage increases and payments for films shown on television over 12 times a month, reporters contended that SAG was possibly willing to settle for less than the original 12 percent of gross revenues for home video projects. However, a representative for SAG claimed that the union and industry were "still miles apart" and that an end to the strike could take a long time to reach. However, the mediation was called off after one day, with neither side reaching an agreement. During the discussion, SAG representatives asked to shelf discussions of the home media payment issue and work out the other issues present (such as the 35 percent wage increase), but the entertainment representatives did not want to move forward with any further discussions until the home media issue was resolved. The business representatives countered SAG's offer with an offer of 3 percent of the gross revenues of a feature that has played on TV for at least 15 days over the span of two years, with the business representatives arguing that this would allow the payments to emanate from the feature's profits and not its gross. Talks resumed later that month on August 21. On August 27, SAG and AFTRA members from the unions' New York City branches held a rally outside of the Gulf & Western Building in support of the strikers. Negotiations were recessed on September 4.
On September 7, the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards were boycotted, with the only nominated actor to come to the event being Powers Boothe, where he won an Emmy for his role in Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones. During his acceptance speech, he referenced the union boycott of the event, saying, "This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest". During the ceremony, host Steve Allen made reference to the strike with a joke about former actor and then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, saying, "Who would have ever thought that all of us would live to see the day when Ronald Reagan would be the only actor working?". The Los Angeles Herald Examiner called the event, "The Night the Stars Didn't Shine".
Hub AI
1980 actors strike AI simulator
(@1980 actors strike_simulator)
1980 actors strike
The 1980 actors strike was a labor strike held in July–October 1980 by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), two labor unions representing actors in the American film industry. The strike was caused by a breakdown in labor contract negotiations between the two unions (who were negotiating for a joint contract) and representatives of film studios, television networks, and other independent producers. The primary point of contention regarded residuals from home media, such as videocassettes and pay television. Specifically, the union was seeking a form of profit sharing wherein they would receive a percentage of the revenue made from home media releases. Additionally, the unions wanted a 35 percent salary increase across the board for their members. By mid-July, the union and industry representatives were at an impasse, and the strike started on July 21. Several days later, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, a labor union representing musicians in the film industry) also went on strike for similar reasons.
Altogether, roughly 67,000 workers from SAG and AFTRA struck.
Striking continued for several months, during which time almost all production on film and television was halted. Additionally, the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards were boycotted by the unions, with only one Emmy winner attending the event: actor Powers Boothe. By mid-September, an agreement had been made between the union and companies that constituted a compromise, with the unions receiving pay increases and profit sharing from home media releases, but at a lower share than they had originally pushed for. However, the contracts also provided for additional benefits in the members healthcare, pension, and overtime plans, among other guarantees. As a result, union members voted to accept the terms of the agreement by mid-October. The AFM continued to strike for several more months, agreeing to a new contract in January of the following year.
The strike was the actor's longest for film and television until 2023, where the strike occurred alongside the Writers Guild of America's.
Starting on May 19, 1980, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), two major labor unions representing actors in Hollywood, had been negotiating with representatives of film producers, film studios, and television networks (many represented by the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and including, among others, the Big Three television networks, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, and Universal Pictures) over new labor contracts that would cover the next three years. According to both unions, the major point of contention regarded the burgeoning home video market. Industry representatives contended that home media was at the time not yet a major business, with only 2 percent of all American households owning a VCR at that time. However, the unions disagreed and were seeking changes regarding payment for these releases. In particular, the unions wanted a profit sharing plan for home video releases, including pay television, videocassettes, and videodiscs. At the time, the current practices were to pay actors a one-time salary for participation in a project with no future profit sharing for home video releases. However, SAG proposed a profit sharing model wherein actors would receive 12 percent of the gross revenues for projects made explicitly for home video. In addition, SAG was pushing for actors to receive payments for films that had been sold to television networks or cable channels that have been shown more than 12 times in a month. While these covered SAG's concerns with home video, the union was also seeking a 35 percent increase in all salary categories, while both unions were also pushing for a 40 percent increase in their minimum wages over the next three years, which would have seen union members' daily rates increase from $225 to $315 and weekly rates increase from $785 to $1,100. These contract negotiations did not affect the production of game shows, soap operas, or news and educational programs, which were covered under different contracts. As negotiations continued, the unions prepared for strike action, with The New York Times reporting on July 10 that SAG had set a strike deadline for July 21. With no deal reached by that time, the strike began on July 21, with a walkout at 2 a.m. At the time of the strike's beginning, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) had also been negotiating a new contract with the recording industry concerning similar issues over home media. While that contract had expired on March 31, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) delayed agreeing to new terms until their dispute with the film and television industry had also been settled. This strike would be the second collaborative strike between Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) following a strike in 1978. The 1980 Actors Strike was not an isolated event but occurred within a broader context of labor unrest in Hollywood. During this period, guilds representing writers, directors, and actors were increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with compensation models, particularly as new technologies like cable television and home video began reshaping the entertainment landscape. This strike marked a critical moment for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), as both organizations grappled with the challenges of adapting their contracts to reflect the realities of modern media distribution. These tensions reflected a continuation of disputes dating back to earlier technological shifts, such as the rise of network television, which had also prompted calls for equitable profit-sharing arrangements.
In the first week of striking, The Christian Science Monitor reported that the action had "shut down most movie and TV productions across the United States". Of note, three movies that were being filmed in New York City at the time were put on hold after movie stars Candice Bergen, Jacqueline Bisset, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Burt Reynolds did not show up on set. 9 to 5 and The Janitor, both Twentieth Century Fox films, were among the films that were under production and affected by the strike. Spokespeople for several television networks stated that, while filming for some shows scheduled for the 1980–81 United States network television schedule had already been completed, a prolonged strike could affect scheduling, either forcing a delay of the start of the season or requiring the showing of reruns until production could continue. Meanwhile, spokespeople for the unions stated that the strike could be a long one. By August 2, Billboard was reporting that negotiations between the unions and entertainment industry were still ongoing. At midnight on July 31, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), which had similarly been negotiating with the film industry over pay issues regarding music used in home media releases, joined SAG and AFTRA in striking against the AMPTP, with AFM President Victor Fuentealba saying, "There is a long-standing, obvious and illogical inequity whereby musicians receive no reuse payment when TV films on which they have worked are rerun on TV, while producers make such payments to actors, directors and writers". This came after negotiations deteriorated just before the AFM's contract with the AMPTP expired on July 31.
By early August, Billboard reported that the strike was costing the American film and television industry approximately $40 million per week. Around that same time, on August 4, SAG entered into mediation hosted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service at the Wilshire Federal Building. While SAG was still adamant about the 35 percent across the board wage increases and payments for films shown on television over 12 times a month, reporters contended that SAG was possibly willing to settle for less than the original 12 percent of gross revenues for home video projects. However, a representative for SAG claimed that the union and industry were "still miles apart" and that an end to the strike could take a long time to reach. However, the mediation was called off after one day, with neither side reaching an agreement. During the discussion, SAG representatives asked to shelf discussions of the home media payment issue and work out the other issues present (such as the 35 percent wage increase), but the entertainment representatives did not want to move forward with any further discussions until the home media issue was resolved. The business representatives countered SAG's offer with an offer of 3 percent of the gross revenues of a feature that has played on TV for at least 15 days over the span of two years, with the business representatives arguing that this would allow the payments to emanate from the feature's profits and not its gross. Talks resumed later that month on August 21. On August 27, SAG and AFTRA members from the unions' New York City branches held a rally outside of the Gulf & Western Building in support of the strikers. Negotiations were recessed on September 4.
On September 7, the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards were boycotted, with the only nominated actor to come to the event being Powers Boothe, where he won an Emmy for his role in Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones. During his acceptance speech, he referenced the union boycott of the event, saying, "This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest". During the ceremony, host Steve Allen made reference to the strike with a joke about former actor and then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, saying, "Who would have ever thought that all of us would live to see the day when Ronald Reagan would be the only actor working?". The Los Angeles Herald Examiner called the event, "The Night the Stars Didn't Shine".
Recent media