SAG-AFTRA STRIKE: Guide for Content Creators and Influencers

Navigate the SAG-AFTRA strike with confidence using this guide tailored for content creators and influencers. Learn how to adapt, engage, and thrive during this challenging period in the entertainment industry.

The Screen Actors Guild of America’s American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike started on July 14th, 2023 and currently, there is no end in sight. The Writers Guild of America strike started even earlier, on May 2nd, 2023. 

The ongoing strike is also having an impact on influencers and content creators. According to SAG-AFTRA, influencers, and content creators should not post on social media regarding a movie, television show, or performance that is on strike. This goes for paid and unpaid work. 

What many influencers and content creators do not know is not only are you crossing a picket line when you do struck work but you could also be putting yourself at risk of being banned from SAG-AFTRA. 

SAG-AFTRA allows influencers to join under their influencer agreement. Even if you don’t want to join now you want to consider protecting your future possibility and support the strike. 

It can be confusing to support the strike as an influencer or content creator, especially if you have not joined the union. It can also be scary as it can mean loss of income and having to turn down work. But the industry will be stronger if we all work together for the good of the members of the union. 

So how do you support the SAG-AFTRA strike as an influencer or content creator? There are many things you can do and ways you can keep from crossing the line and also help support those who are currently striking. 

SAG-AFTRA Strike Guide for Influencers and Content Creators

It’s first important to know why SAG-AFTRA is striking and what their demands are. They are fighting for their members against companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP).

These are some of the things they are asking for:

• 11% general wage increase to help members recover from record inflation. 
• Protection from AI and compensation when a “digital replica” is made of their performances and changed using AI.
• Qualified hair and makeup professionals and equipment to safely and effectively style a variety of hair textures/styles and skin tones.
• Compensation to reflect the value brought to streamers.
• Health and retirement funds are kept sustainable. Contribution caps haven’t been raised in 40 years.
• Principal performers need to be able to work during hiatuses.
• Principal performers need to be reimbursed for relocation expenses when they are employed away from home.

You can find all of the details of the SAG-AFTRA strike demands on the strike website. 

How Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike Apply to Influencers and Content Creators?

If you are a member of SAG-AFTRA you are required to follow their strike guidelines but what if you aren’t a member? SAG-AFTRA has asked that non-members follow the same guidelines. If you perform covered work or services for a struck company during the strike you will not be admitted into membership in SAG-AFTRA in the future.

SAG-AFTRA has a strike guide for influencers which can help you figure out what is allowed and what isn’t and you can also contact them at Influencer@sagaftra.org with questions.

Here is a quick overview of what you should be doing and not doing during the strike:

• You may still do brand partnerships. However, do not accept new work from a struck company or their content.
• If you are under contract to promote struck work you are allowed to fulfill your work obligations.
• Influencers should refrain from posting on social media about any struck work regardless of whether they are posting organically or in a paid capacity.
• You can not participate in conventions on behalf of, or to promote, companies that SAG-AFTRA is striking against. You can participate in ways that are wholly independent of characters from struck work or sponsorship from struck companies.
• It’s a gray area for if you can work with an advertiser for a cross-promotional campaign for a struck employer. They ask that you reach out for assistance. If you are not a union member you can still reach out and ask or play it safe and avoid these promotions.

Read the full SAG-AFTRA Influencer FAQ for more information.

How Can Influencers Support the Strike?

The first and most important way to support this strike is by not doing any struck work. It hurts their negotiating power when people are picking up the work they are striking against. 

There are other ways you can support as well. If you are a content creator and you have content you are not updating during the strike because it features a struck company you can add a note to that post saying you won’t be updating until the strike ends with a link to the SAG-AFTRA strike page.

You can also post and show your support on social media using #SAGAFTRAstrike and #SAGAFTRAstrong. They also have a social toolkit you can use.

And you can always join the picket line or donate to funds that are designed to help those on strike.

A strike is hard for most involved but it’s an effective way to make a change and the things SAG-AFTRA is asking for are important. By standing with the union you are helping to make a difference and also are protecting your ability to join the union in the future. 

The strike won’t last forever and most influencers and content creators are only being asked to stop part of their work while many union members are fully out of work now. This is a good time to diversify your work and focus on things that are not struck.