Drescher Responds to David Slack’s Support and Discusses Ongoing Labor Dispute with AMPTP
Fran Drescher, 66, the president of SAG-AFTRA, has openly supported her practice of bringing a heart-shaped plush doll to labor negotiations. She acknowledged a thread on X (formerly Twitter) that was posted by TV writer David Slack, 51, on October 25. In the thread, Slack praised Drescher’s “eccentric” character and emphasized that the actress from “The Nanny” is not daunted by the CEOs from the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP).
“[Thank you] David 4 your support. I’ve said it [before] & I’ll say it again, I don’t have 2 emulate a masculine energy [to be] a good leader,” Drescher replied to Slack. “I can be smart, have a keen ability [to see] integral flaws in a business model AND put a tiny heart-shaped plush toy [between] me & [Disney CEO Robert] Iger. In short, I can be me.”
Drescher took office as the union’s president in September 2021 and was voted in for a second term this autumn. She has been a key figure in the ongoing actors’ strike that started in July due to a labor disagreement with the AMPTP.
Earlier this month, Drescher criticized the AMPTP for halting the negotiations. “I was genuinely surprised because what does that really imply and what’s the reason for leaving the discussion?” she expressed during a segment on the Today show. “We’re not demanding anything unreasonable.”
Drescher also stated that the studios’ action was “incorrect” and “inconsiderate.” “They lecture you. They genuinely have no interest in listening to your viewpoint or the rationale behind it,” she remarked.
Shortly after her comments, the AMPTP, representing major corporations like Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and Amazon, declared that discussions with SAG-AFTRA were temporarily suspended after weeks of negotiation.
The AMPTP pointed to the actors’ request for a two percent share of streaming service revenue as the primary obstacle, claiming it would amount to over $800 million annually.
In a counter-argument, SAG-AFTRA accused the studios of “intentionally [misrepresenting] to the press the cost of the above proposal” by 60%.
The temporary pause in talks concluded earlier this week, with SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP resuming contract discussions on October 24. On October 22, Drescher posted on Instagram that she felt hopeful about re-entering negotiations.
“[Thank you] dear picketers and strike captains for once again rising to the occasion!” she further added. “Sleep well dear brave hearts!”
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), which concluded its own strike against the AMPTP in September after five months, has urged the studios to negotiate a “fair” agreement. The WGA also stated that the deal should not be modeled on its own, but should consider the distinct requirements of the actors.
“Rather than engage in the traditional AMPTP tactic of pushing a deal on SAG-AFTRA that is patterned on our own tentative agreement or any other industry deal, a strategy which has already caused considerable delay and suffering, the companies must make a deal that addresses the needs of performers,” the union declared earlier this month. “WGA members will continue to show up on picket lines and support SAG-AFTRA until they reach that deal. Solidarity forever.”
