LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Following SAG-AFTRA's tentative deal with AMPTP, guild president Fran Drescher opened up about the breakthrough moment which led to the end of the historic 118-day strike, which began on July 14.
"Well, we were making strides throughout the time that we were on strike, except, of course, from when the AMPTP decided they were either going to walk out or they themselves were deliberating taking time before they came back with a counterproposal," Drescher told NPR.
"So, you know, the time was usually productive. And once we really got to a place where not only did they really fully grasp the idea that this is a new dawn, that this is new leadership, that this is a historic time and this calls for a seminal negotiation - then whatever it was that we were talking about, whatever it was we felt that we needed, they decided to put their thinking caps on and group together to come up with their own solution version," she explained.
Drescher alongside chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, negotiated SAG-AFTRA's tentative deal with AMPTP, which is believed to be worth just over $1 billion across the three-year contract, the highest gain ever for the union.
Fran Drescher weighs in on SAG-AFTRA's deal with AMPTP
While speaking to NPR, Drescher shared one of the biggest sticking points of the negotiation was regulation of Artificial Intelligence, which will reportedly be an, "ongoing discussion and potentially an ongoing battle," per the president.
"In the world of AI, three months is equivalent to a year. So we got whatever we thought we could possibly get to protect our members for the duration of this contract. But we also requested that we all meet together to just take the pulse of where technology is twice a year," Drescher said.
"We would be talking about it because we're going to have to come together on the same side for federal regulation and also to protect both of us from piracy," she continued.
"So, you know, there is a lot there that we have to really start working together on," Drescher continued.
"And now there's language in the contract to protect my members. And in three years, it may be a whole different situation with new problems that need to be unpacked and discussed and argued and negotiated," she added.
"And I think it's going to be this way for a very long time. And that's OK," 'The Nanny' star stated.
In another interview with Extra, Drescher said that the deal was "quite historic in terms of the size of the contract in this industry."
While the writers and directors earned 5% increases with their new contracts with the AMPTP, actors bagged a 7% increase, with the industry's lowest-earning performers, including background actors, getting a 11% hike.
"When it all adds up, it's quite significant… You know, it wasn't what we wanted as the performers with the background people got, we didn't get that, but we were very happy that our lowest-earning members got the most for their minimum salary," she said.
"New inroads were carved everywhere. And that's what this moment was really about. It was essential that artificial intelligence be barricaded, with a lot of protections for the members," Drescher shared.
"And, you know, it was very important that we found a new stream of revenue to try and level the playing field when it comes to compensation for the members that work the streaming channels," she continued.
"We’re already thinking about what we’re going to be working on for the next contract," the SAG-AFTRA president said, noting, "In a negotiation, you don’t get everything."
"There was so much meat on the bone that we did get. It is such a triumph, such an extraordinary contract with so much in it that makes it meaningful for the lives of all of our members and, really, for generations to come," she said.
"That was also important, because I think that this is a historic time, and we needed a seminal negotiation to match it," Drescher mentioned.
Internet praises Fran Drescher after SAG-AFTRA's new deal with AMPTP
Shortly after negotiating the agreement between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP, Drescher took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the historic moment.
"We did it!" Drescher simply wrote while several social media users flocked to her comments to share their good wishes and applaud the president for her work.
"Thank you for getting it done," one wrote. "You did good Franny," one commented. "Congrats To you and your team on a super job!" another added.
"Thank you for all your hard work, fighting for all of us! I loved you as the Nanny but seeing you so strong and powerful, I love you even more!" one said.
"YOU ROCK! Thank you so much for your tireless work. I honor the many people who worked on this, and I praise the one strong woman who has led us on the way," a fifth stated.
One wrote, "Congratulations to all of you. You fought the good fight and you won. This goes to show when you put your mind to something you can make it happen. #Congratulations #SAGAFTRA #SagAftraStrong #Solidarity"
Before another said, "Thank you for holding the line and being our president!"
One complimented, "You did a FANTASTIC job!" while another mentioned, "Congratulations Fran! Great work! Not only did you protect workers rights, but you protected the integrity of film! Historic!"
