Samwise Gamgee can't carry the One Ring, but he can carry the vote. Sean Astin was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeded Fran Drescher in the role. His mother, Patty Duke, was also SAG-AFTRA president 37 years before Astin's tenure. "Now is a time for optimism and creativity. I am thrilled that the members have allowed me to lead our storied organization out of this challenging moment and into a future defined by confidence, progress and fierce advocacy," Astin said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm excited to get to work."
This agreement builds on three decades of successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union. It delivers historic wage increases of over 24 percent for performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions requiring transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games.
"Within the past six months, the Employer, by its agents and representatives, failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the union by making unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment, without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain."