Hollywood Labor Negotiations: SAG-AFTRA Prepares for 2026 Talks

SAG-AFTRA is gearing up for crucial contract negotiations in 2026, with discussions set to begin on February 9. According to Deadline, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is considering offering a substantial $110 million to improve health plans for the unions, including SAG-AFTRA, the WGA, and the DGA.

In exchange, the studios are proposing a shift from the traditional three-year contracts to longer five-year agreements. This change aims to provide stability in a rapidly evolving industry landscape, although some insiders express concerns that longer contracts could reduce the guilds' leverage and responsiveness to issues like AI and residuals.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that this would mark a significant departure from the three-year cycle that has been standard since the 1940s, raising questions about how unions would react to such a proposal.

The current contracts for the WGA expire on May 1, 2026, while SAG-AFTRA's and the DGA's contracts end on June 30, 2026. Both sides are expected to face critical discussions regarding health plans and evolving industry trends, especially given the challenges that have emerged post-strikes in 2023.