Pact and Equity Resume Talks on AI After New Proposal, Union Warns Strikes Could Still Happen

Negotiations between Pact and Equity regarding artificial intelligence have resumed, although the UK actors union has indicated that the potential for industrial action remains on the table.

Equity announced that Pact has presented an “improved offer” following the producer trade body’s revisions on AI protections that had previously sparked contention. “Following a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, January 20), both sides have agreed to enter a further period of negotiation in good faith,” Equity stated.

This development comes after the January 19 deadline, when Equity threatened to initiate a statutory ballot asking members whether they would refuse to be digitally scanned on set. An indicative ballot conducted late last year revealed strong support for this position among members.

Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming emphasized that industrial action remains a possibility for upcoming productions. He stated, “Last month’s ballot result showed that an overwhelming majority of performers are prepared to refuse scanning on set, and that focused the minds of producers leading to this improved offer.” Fleming acknowledged that while the latest proposal does not fulfill all demands, the next few weeks will be crucial in securing necessary protections for performers in the context of AI use on set. “If we decide this offer is not good enough, and PACT refuse to give the protections that are needed, we are prepared to move to a statutory ballot of members with the intention to undertake industrial action on upcoming productions,” he added.

Pact and Equity have been in discussions over a set of new contracts for nearly two years. A significant focus of these negotiations has been the implications of artificial intelligence, which mirror recent discussions in the U.S. where the SAG-AFTRA union reached a deal with American studios. This deal, supported by Equity, includes the principle of “informed consent,” requiring that clauses related to digital replicas be clearly outlined in contracts—not obscured in fine print.

Pact has countered Equity’s claims, stating that there is no evidence of actors being scanned on set or having their data utilized in the manner asserted by the union. The negotiations also encompass other critical areas such as pay, residuals, and specific stipulations from streaming services.