E! News has reached out to Stephen’s reps for comment but has not heard back.
The SAG-AFTRA strike marks the first time the union has voted to go on strike since 1980. They’ve joined the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike since May 2 after failing to reach their own deal with the AMPTP, on the picket lines.
Guild president Fran Drescher explained the union’s motivations behind a strike.
“SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer needs,” the Nanny alum said in a statement after the strike was called in July, “but the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry. The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.”
And during a press conference that day, she added, “It came with great sadness that we came to this crossroads, but we have no choice. We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a greedy entity. The gravity of this move is not lost on me, but at some point, you have to say no. We’re not going to take this anymore.”
For more comments from celebrities regarding the strikes, keep reading.
