The actors strike has reachedDay 100, as talks betweenSAG-AFTRAand the AMPTP remain halted.
I think its so impressive, the unity, the strength of our members.
As youve seen on picket lines, our members are in this fully.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Chelsea Rendon and Kevin E. WestRosy Cordero/Deadline
The amount of time spent without negotiating has been completely unconscionable.
The studios and streamers ought to be back at the table with us now.
They should have been there the first 80 days but they werent.
Rosy Cordero/Deadline
I am very eager to see that happen and I believe it will happen soon.
But I know that were just going to stand strong and get a fair deal.
Day one was sort of like being emancipated from the room.
So we all came out and were like, Yeah!
Strike, strike, strike, lets get a contract.
And at day 100, Im even more invigorated.
The solidarity I feel when Im out in the streets is amazing.
Theyre hurting but they are here.
They are understanding because theyve been hurting, too.
Theyve never had the contracts either.
So we are all so much more solidified and united in our struggle.
If we acquiesce at day 100, what was this all for?
Were at day 100 because [the AMPTP] has not come to the table.
Its the opposite, were sort of more enraged.
Hurd called out the lack of financial increases for SAG-AFTRA that reflects inflation in the last four decades.
Something felt doubly at her home, which she shares with her husband, fellow actor, Garret Dillahunt.
How is it that Im working in an industry that has not raised those numbers since 1983?
At day 100, we are more united and in solidarity.
I feel stronger than ever.
She added, We are on the right side of history.
I understand the pain.
Im feeling it myself; Im married to an actor.
Weve made a terrible choice because both of us are out of a job.
Im impacted by it 100%.
But one day longer, one day stronger.
We will get what we want.
As I got older, I was taking pride and being a homebody.
But Ive been coming out now every day since the strike started.
I made that pact with myself, Ortiz, who stars in Cord Jefferson-directed featureAmerican Fiction.
She had just beat cancer.
We had this amazing conversation about life and gratitude and the importance of showing up, no matter what.
Ortiz has helped pave the way for Latino talent in theater and Hollywood for more than three decades.
As much as it hurts, it can also be pretty cool.
We all want to get back to work, Ortiz said.
I have two scenes left to shoot in this series in Toronto.
I have another movie that I need to start.
The negotiating committee understands there are both good and bad days on the lines.
Hurd echoes Ortizs sentiments of being open to listening or just saying hello.
Theres something kind of crazy about the world of striking.
You have a community of people that becomes your family.
You meet eyes and suddenly its like, Oh my God, Im so glad I saw you.
Your worst day becomes your best day in a situation that seems like its dire, but its not.
Solidarity is not about a percentage.
We simply need everybody to come out when they can and as often as they can, he said.
Whether its 45 minutes, three days a week or three hours two days a week.
It makes no difference to us.
Get out what you’re free to do.
Bring a friend and catch up here instead of over lunch.
you’re able to hit the picket line with a snack and carry a sign.
We just simply need you out there showing we are not going anywhere.
She has helped organize pickets such as Ramping Up: A Cross-Union Picket For Disabled Artists in August.
Every member that shows up is equally as important.
This is the power.
We show power by being united and this union is more united than ever before, Cyrille said.
you might see the energy of the membership thats out here.
Nobody wants to be on strike, right?
But seeing this in the community and the unity is something that we will carry in our hearts forever.
