SAG-AFTRA announced today to its members that the guild has taken a stand against the mega-merger in the works of Paramount (and CBS, etc.) and Warner Bros. Discovery (and CNN, etc.).
Dear Michael,
Today, our National Board adopted a resolution publicly opposing the Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, absent enforceable guarantees of continued and expanded production levels. The resolution affirms our strong support for the attorneys general from a dozen states and the Writers Guild of America, who have filed anti-trust lawsuits to block the massive leveraged buyout. At this moment, Paramount Skydance has agreed to delay the effective date until as late as next June.
We want you to know that SAG-AFTRA has been monitoring this transaction closely since Netflix made its initial offer to buy the historic studio. Throughout this process, we engaged with the various parties to thoroughly investigate the proposed acquisition and ensure your interests are protected.
We consulted with our lawyers, including consulting with anti-trust experts, contract experts and economists to evaluate the transaction and secure expert guidance on how to confront the environment in ways that empower you, the members. We also discussed our analysis with the U.S. Department of Justice and shared our data with them as part of their regulatory process.
We sat across a table with the highest levels of Paramount/Skydance leadership more than once to ensure our members' interests were made crystal clear. We asked direct and probing questions and spoke with clarity and resolve about the needs of our members and our expectations for a productive working relationship.
And, we have been in frequent contact with various stakeholders, including with the Writers Guild of America, regarding this matter. While the claims in the WGA suit are specific to writers, we support their efforts in forcefully condemning the Warner Bros. buyout.
Today’s board resolution officially puts on record our demand that the acquisition not proceed unless there are enforceable safeguards against reduced production by the studios with guarantees of increases in the percentage of productions made in the USA. We acknowledge that there are other demands that could be made as a part of this process. We have concluded that at this time, those issues are best addressed by other advocates while we focus specifically on the very real economic impact on our members and other industry workers.
The timing of this action is designed to acknowledge the “pause” in the AG’s case, and to make certain that all parties involved understand precisely how our union assesses the adverse consequences of this merger to our members.
Finally, we understand that this issue hits members extremely hard on many levels, given the nature of our country’s politics, the erosion of confidence in our public systems and the fact that this merger will impact storytelling in all its aspects, not only performance but also broadcast journalism and public affairs. SAG-AFTRA will continue to vigilantly monitor the situation, and will exercise the right to comment further and/or take any action necessary in the interest of our members. This resolution speaks to this moment.
As always, we thank you for being engaged with the actions and activities of your union. Throughout this time of uncertainty, our saving grace is our solidarity.
With great respect…
In solidarity,
Sean Astin
President
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator
Resolution
Press Release
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