Zachary Quinto recently took to Instagram to share a personal email he sent to SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, expressing his unwavering support in the event that the union rejects the AMPTP's current "best and final" offer.
Quinto's message aimed to reassure Drescher of his steadfast backing and to encourage her not to yield to studio pressure, as the SAG-AFTRA strike hinges on the outcome of this offer.
Quinto's email began with words of respect and gratitude for Drescher's tireless dedication to the union's membership.
He expressed his desire to meet her in person to convey these sentiments and praised her for handling the challenging situation with grace, dignity, and power throughout the negotiation process.
Quinto's email came out on the 115th day of the SAG-AFTRA strike, coinciding with the assessment of the studios' "last, best and final" offer by the union's negotiating committee.
The AMPTP had presented this final offer on Saturday, November 4, and SAG-AFTRA needed some time to formulate their response.
On the evening of Sunday, November 5, following Quinto's Instagram post, the union announced the need for additional time to respond.
Quinto's email underscored the critical juncture of the situation, where the AMPTP sought to exploit fatigue and industry pressure, particularly from agencies and studios, to break the union's resolve.
Their use of "last, best and final" language in their counter-proposal signaled an intimidation strategy, which Quinto believed was not the path to a fair resolution for their membership.
He assured Drescher that if the proposed terms did not align with her vision of what the membership rightfully deserved, their solidarity would remain unwavering.
Quinto promised that they would picket, march, and stand strong until they achieved their objectives. He emphasized their commitment to finishing the fight for their rights and just rewards.
In a subsequent email to SAG-AFTRA members on November 5, union leaders informed them that they had spent the day discussing the proposal internally and would continue deliberations on November 6.
The TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee had thoroughly analyzed the AMPTP's counter-proposal, and they pledged to keep members updated.
See Quinto’s letter below:
“Fran. Let me start off by saying how much I respect you and how deeply grateful I am for your tireless efforts on behalf of all of our membership. I hope we get to meet someday so I can express these sentiments to you in person.”
“You are in an impossibly difficult position right now - and you are bearing up with grace and dignity and power and I am so impressed by how you have handled yourself - and this negotiation - every step of the way.”
“Obviously we are at a crucial moment. The AMPTP is trying to capitalize on fatigue and harness pressure from the industry at large (agencies and studios especially) to break our resolve…”
“…and have you and your incredible negotiating committee accept whatever it is they've thrown at us and say thank you.”
“Their decision to use 'last best and final' language in their most recent counter proposal tips their hand and shows that they are relying on intimidation and not fairness to bring this strike to an end.”
“But that is not how we will prevail for our membership.”
“If you do not feel that what they are proposing satisfies your belief in what our membership fairly deserves - then please know that YOUR MEMBERSHIP STANDS BEHIND YOU!!!”
“We will picket we will march and we will hold strong with you until we receive everything for which we are fighting and everything which we deserve.”
“We did not come this far to sputter over the finish line and my sense is that you know that deeply and want to hold out for what is really fair instead of what they tell us is fair.”
“You are a remarkable leader and should feel confident in your ability and in your wisdom to know how much is at stake in this fight.”
“DO NOT BACK DOWN!! WE HAVE YOUR BACK!! SAG-AFTRA STRONG AS LONG AS IT TAKES!!!! With much respect and in solidarity!!! Zachary Quinto”
People online voiced their support for Quinto’s sentiments.
As of Quinto's public statement, the strike had reached its 116th day, with the union's resolve remaining steadfast. Fran Drescher and the entire SAG-AFTRA membership were determined to press on in their pursuit of a fair resolution.
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