LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Las Vegans weighed in Wednesday after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative end to its nearly four-month strike.
“The last few months we haven’t worked at all,” Cecilia Johnson, a local stuntwoman and actor told 8 News Now.
As a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, she told 8 News Now the past few months have felt long.
“It’s pretty much just been sitting here twiddling its thumbs,” Johnson said. “And to practice and perform all training and honing skills.”
(Credit: Cecilia Johnson)
She is one of many who were involved in the nationwide walkout that appears to be over.
“I think everybody started to feel pretty bad,” Johnson explained.
After 118 days of strike action and halted production, SAG-AFTRA released a statement on social media that said in part:
“We are excited and proud to tell you that today your TV/Theatrical Bargaining Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with AMPTP. As of 12:01 PM PT on November 9th, our strike is officially suspended and all strike sites are closed. We will be contacting you in the coming days with information about festive gatherings around the country.”
(Credit: Cecilia Johnson)
The union said it has obtained “above-the-pattern compensation increases, provisions to protect members from artificial intelligence and streaming participation bonuses, among other provisions”.
“I think it’s necessary,” Johnson said. “To kind of go on strike and put your feet down.”
Johnson added that while it’s all taken a while, she told 8 News Now she’s glad those in the industry stood their ground.
“Especially with AI, it’s something we have to protect against,” she explained. “So it will be interesting to see what comes out of that.”
(Credit: Cecilia Johnson)
Although those involved were still awaiting details of the deal Wednesday night, Johnson said her sights are set on the future and getting back to work.
“It’s a nice kind of feeling,” Johnson concluded. “Of hope and excitement.”
SAG-AFTRA wrote X on Wednesday that full details of the tentative agreement will not be released until it is reviewed by the national board.
For more information on the tentative agreement announced Wednesday, click HERE.