1980 actors strike

1980 actors strike
Jack Klugman, Ricardo Montalbán, Loretta Swit and Ralph Bellamy standing among the picketers
Date	July 21 – October 23, 1980 (3 months and 2 days)
Location	United States (primarily Hollywood)
Caused by	Disagreements over new labor contracts between unions and companies
Goals	35 percent wage increases Guarantee for 12 percent of the gross revenues for home media releases
Methods	Boycott Picketing Strike action Walkout
Resulted in	Unions and companies ratify new contract: 32.5 percent wage increases Guarantee for 4.5 percent of the gross revenues for home media releases 30 percent increase in residuals, among other improvements to employee benefits
Parties
American Federation of Musicians American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Screen Actors Guild Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers

The 1980 actors strike was a labor strike held in July–October 1980 by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), two labor unions representing actors in the American film industry. The strike was caused by a breakdown in labor contract negotiations between the two unions (who were negotiating for a joint contract) and representatives of film studios, television networks, and other independent producers. The primary point of contention regarded residuals from home media, such as videocassettes and pay television. Specifically, the union was seeking a form of profit sharing wherein they would receive a percentage of the revenue made from home media releases. Additionally, the unions wanted a 35 percent salary increase across the board for their members. By mid-July, the union and industry representatives were at an impasse, and the strike started on July 21. Several days later, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, a labor union representing musicians in the film industry) also went on strike for similar reasons.

Altogether, roughly 67,000 workers from SAG and AFTRA struck.^[1]

Striking continued for several months, during which time almost all production on film and television was halted. Additionally, the 32nd Primetime Emmy Awards were boycotted by the unions, with only one Emmy winner attending the event: actor Powers Boothe. By mid-September, an agreement had been made between the union and companies that constituted a compromise, with the unions receiving pay increases and profit sharing from home media releases, but at a lower share than they had originally pushed for. However, the contracts also provided for additional benefits in the members’ healthcare, pension, and overtime plans, among other guarantees. As a result, union members voted to accept the terms of the agreement by mid-October. The AFM continued to strike for several more months, agreeing to a new contract in January of the following year.

The strike was the actors' longest for film and television until 2023, where the strike occurred alongside the Writers Guild of America's.^[2]