Negotiations between Hollywood studios and the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA have taken a more collaborative turn as union members prepare to vote on a newly negotiated contract set to replace the current agreement expiring at the end of June. Union leaders report progress in addressing key issues, including concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.

SAG-AFTRA, which represents approximately 160,000 professionals working across film, television, and video games, is the largest performers’ union worldwide. The proposed contract received approval from the union’s national board earlier this month and is now subject to a membership vote.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, highlighted a shift in the studios’ approach compared to previous rounds of bargaining. He noted that the change in attitude, particularly a willingness from studios and streaming companies to engage constructively, contributed to reaching agreements without significant conflict. Crabtree-Ireland credited the difficult 2023 strike—as well as its industry-wide impact—for resetting the dynamic between studios and unions.

“The tone of the negotiation was much more collaborative and a lot more creativity was brought by both sides,” Crabtree-Ireland said. He suggested that the strike, despite its challenges, helped redefine the relationship and foster a more cooperative environment.

Details about specific contract terms, including those related to artificial intelligence, have not been fully disclosed, but the union’s emphasis on this issue indicates it was a significant point of negotiation. SAG-AFTRA members will decide in the coming weeks whether to accept the new agreement, which aims to address evolving industry practices and protect performers’ rights in an era of rapid technological change.